The playoffs of IPL 2023 are underway and the matches have been thrilling. On Saturday, the Chennai Super Kings defeated the Delhi Capitals, while the Lucknow Super Giants defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders to secure their tickets to the playoffs. Now, there is only one spot left in the playoffs, and it will be decided by two matches today. On Sunday, the Mumbai Indians will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on the Gujarat Titans. The team that qualifies from these matches will secure the fourth spot in the playoffs. Apart from Chennai, Lucknow, and Gujarat, the Gujarat Titans have also qualified for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have been eliminated. Let’s find out what Mumbai and Bangalore need to do to qualify for the playoffs.
1. Mumbai Indians:
Mumbai has 14 points with seven wins and six losses in their 13 matches. While Mumbai’s points are decent, their net run rate is negative (-0.128). To reach the playoffs, they first need to win their match against Hyderabad at Wankhede Stadium. Then, they have to hope that Bangalore loses their match against Gujarat. In this scenario, Mumbai’s team will directly qualify. If Mumbai plays their match first and manages to win by a margin of more than 80 runs against Hyderabad or by chasing the target within 11.5 overs, their net run rate will become positive and better than Bangalore’s current net run rate. After that, Bangalore’s match will determine their qualification. If Bangalore loses to Gujarat, Mumbai will be knocked out, and RCB will qualify.
2. Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Bangalore’s match is the last match of the league round. This match will not only be crucial for Mumbai but also for the Rajasthan Royals. The match between Bangalore and Gujarat will be played at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore’s home ground. If Bangalore manages to win this match by even a single run, they will qualify for the playoffs, and Mumbai and Rajasthan will be knocked out. Losing this match can make things difficult for Bangalore. Currently, Bangalore has 14 points with seven wins and six losses. Their net run rate is +0.180. If Bangalore loses and Mumbai wins, Mumbai will overtake RCB in net run rate and qualify for the playoffs. If Bangalore loses to Gujarat by five runs or more, or if Gujarat reaches the target before 19.3 overs and Mumbai also loses, then Rajasthan’s net run rate will be better than Bangalore’s, and Rajasthan will qualify for the playoffs.
3. Rajasthan Royals:
Rajasthan has played all their 14 matches in the league round. They have 14 points with seven wins and seven losses. Their net run rate is +0.148. For Rajasthan to reach the playoffs, they need Mumbai and Bangalore to lose their respective matches. They also need Bangalore to lose by a margin of five runs or more, or for Gujarat to achieve the target before 19.3 overs. In these scenarios, Bangalore’s net run rate will be worse than Rajasthan’s, and Sanju Samson’s team will qualify with 14 points.
