IPL 2023 playoff scenarios: CSK, GT inch closer to playoffs; What about other teams' chances?

IPL 2023 (Source: Twitter)

The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has turned out to be an exciting season as no team has secured a playoff berth and no team has been eliminated from the competition after completing 55 matches. However, looking at the current scenario, Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are on the verge of entering the knockout stage. Meanwhile, after their 27-run loss to CSK on Wednesday, Delhi Capitals' doors are almost shut.

CSK's united effort against DC helped the four-time winners achieve second place in the IPL 2023 points table. The squad led by MS Dhoni has won seven of their 12 matches and needs just one more win to secure a playoff spot. At the same time, even if David Warner's DC wins all of their remaining matches, they will only have 14 points in the league stage. That means their fate is no longer in their hands and is unlikely to reach the next round.

Defending champions GT lead the table with eight victories in 11 games. The Hardik Pandya-led team will look to seal their berth by defeating Mumbai Indians (MI) in their next match at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday, May 12. The five-time champions MI are now third in the standings with 12 points and must win at least two of their remaining three matches to stay in the competition.

What are the prospects of other teams making the playoffs?

The fourth and final playoff spot is currently being occupied by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). After a match against CSK was cancelled due to rain, LSG have 11 points from 11 games and need to win the remaining three games to guarantee a knockout position with 17 points.

Currently, there are four teams with 10 points - Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). Having a better net run rate (NRR) than all other teams is an advantage for last year's runners-up. However, RR has lost five of their last six games this season and needs to win all their remaining matches to enter the playoffs without relying on other teams.

Royals and two-time winners KKR will meet at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, with the losing side expected to finish the league stage with a maximum of 14 points. While the 2008 winners have a better NRR (+0.388), KKR (-0.079) will have the advantage of playing their last two league games at home.

For RCB, only a home advantage will come in the last league match against GT and they have to win all their remaining matches to reach the playoffs without waiting for other results. The same would be the case with PBKS, who have the worst NRR (-0.441) among the four teams.