The playoff battle in IPL 2023 has become very interesting. Today i.e., on May 12, there is a match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. If Gujarat Titans lose today’s match, it will have a deep impact on Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. Mumbai’s victory can close the way to the playoffs for many teams.
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Rajasthan Royals (RR) inflicted a crushing defeat on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2023 at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, May 11. The Jaipur-based franchise broke their three-match losing streak with a nine-wicket win over the Knight Riders. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Yuzvendra Chahal were the architects of Rajasthan Royals’ victory against KKR. Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 98, while Chahal took four wickets. With this victory, Rajasthan Royals scored 2 important points. Rajasthan has now come in third place in the points table with 12 points in 12 matches. In such a situation, the playoff race has become even more exciting. Let us know which team is so close to making its place in the playoffs and which team needs both hard work and luck. (PIC:AP)
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Gujarat Titans: Gujarat Titans have almost qualified for the playoffs. The franchise has so far earned 16 points from 11 matches. He is at the first place in the points table. Gujarat Titans will face Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, May 12. If Gujarat wins this match, then it will qualify for the playoffs. Gujarat Titans still have three matches and they need just one more point to qualify. If Gujarat wins 2 of its remaining three matches, then it will get 20 points. No other team will be able to reach 20 points even after winning all their remaining matches. In such a situation, Gujarat will remain the top team. Even if Gujarat wins only one of their next three matches, they will qualify for the playoffs. But it will not be necessary to finish the league stage at the top position. If Gujarat lose all their remaining games, they will finish with 16 points. In such a situation, according to the net run rate, it will be decided which team remains at the top. (PIC: AP)
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Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings have got 15 points in 12 matches so far. Their last two league matches will be against Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals. If Chennai Super Kings wins one of the two matches then they can qualify for the playoffs. However, to confirm their place in the playoffs, Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co. will have to aim to win both the games. (PIC:AP)
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Rajasthan Royals: Rajasthan Royals not only earned two important points against Kolkata but also increased their net run rate with a big win. Rajasthan Royals are now in third place with 12 points and a net run rate of +0.633. Rajasthan Royals have two league games remaining, in which Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings are their two opponents. If they win both the games, they will qualify for the playoffs of IPL 2023. (PIC: AP)
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Mumbai Indians: Mumbai Indians have 12 points from 11 matches. Their remaining matches are against Gujarat Titans, Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Three wins will be more than enough for Mumbai Indians to qualify. However, even two wins should be enough for Mumbai Indians, but then Rohit Sharma & Co. will have to ensure that they have a better run rate than their rivals. (PIC: AP)
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Lucknow Super Giants: Lucknow Super Giants have to play their remaining three matches against Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders. Like Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants can make their place in the playoffs by winning all their remaining three matches. If Lucknow Super Giants win their two matches then they will have 15 points. In such a situation, the net run rate of other teams can become an obstacle in their path. (PIC: AP)
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Royal Challengers Bangalore: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s consecutive defeat in their last two matches has tarnished their chances of making it to the IPL 2023 playoffs. RCB are in sixth place with 10 points and a net run rate of -0.345. Bangalore needs to win their next three matches against Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. Also, he would need a positive net run rate to improve his chances. (PIC:AP)
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Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders are almost out of the race for the IPL 2023 playoffs after their nine-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals. Kolkata Knight Riders have 10 points in 12 matches. Even if they win their next two matches against Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants, they will still have 14 points. KKR still has little chance of qualifying. (PIC:AP)
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Punjab Kings: Punjab Kings are at the eighth position in the points table, but they have one match more than Kolkata Knight Riders. If Punjab defeats Delhi Capitals twice and wins against Rajasthan Royals by a big margin, then it will reach the next round. For PBKS, a loss in any of the three matches would almost rule them out of the tournament. The Shikhar Dhawan-led team cannot afford to lose more matches in IPL 2023. At present, Punjab Kings have 10 points in 11 matches and their net run rate is -0.441. (PIC:AP)
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Sunrisers Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad are ninth in the table with eight points from 10 matches. Sunrisers Hyderabad still have four matches left. They need to win all their remaining matches against Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore. If Hyderabad wins all the four games, they will end the league stage finished with 16 points. In such a situation, he will have a strong chance to qualify. However, Sunrisers will have to ensure that their net run rate is better than Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians. (PIC: AP)
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Delhi Capitals: Delhi Capitals still have a mathematical chance to qualify. Like Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals have faced seven defeats so far in the IPL 2023 season. If Delhi Capitals lose one more game, they will be officially out of the race for the playoffs. Delhi Capitals have three matches left – two against Punjab Kings and one against Chennai Super Kings. They need to win all those three matches. Apart from this, the results and net run rate of other teams can open the way for the playoffs for Delhi Capitals. (PIC: AP)