'Kohli ko isse behtar motivation ki zaroorat nahi' - Fans react over possibility of LSG and CSK book IPL 2023 playoff berths if SRH beat RCB

Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni & Krunal Pandya (Source: Twitter)

Only six games left in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) league stage, and seven teams are currently battling for three playoff spots, underlining the intensity of the competition. While the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) were the first team to qualify for the playoffs after their dominating run in the tournament so far, Delhi Capitals (DC) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are the two teams whose doors have been shut.

Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rajasthan Royals (RR), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Royals Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are the seven teams still alive in the tournament. However, given the current scenario, RCB, LSG, MI, or CSK have a better chance of occupying the final three slots.

Will SRH ruin RCB's party?

Both CSK and LSG have one encounter left in the league stage, and if they lose, they are likely to be eliminated from the race as their fate is no longer in their hands. Even if they lose their last match, they can enter the knockout stage but will need a helping hand from SRH. The Hyderabad-based franchise will lock horns against RCB on Thursday (May 18) and if they manage to win, CSK and LSG can qualify for the playoffs.

With only RCB and MI capable of reaching 16 points, second-placed CSK and third-placed LSG with 15 points can advance to the next round if SRH wins. For RCB to still have a chance, MI has to lose their final match against SRH. Meanwhile, if Bangalore win only one game and Mumbai lose their last match, both will end up on 14 points and whoever has the better Net Run Rate (NRR) will qualify.

The other two teams that can reach 14 points are RR or PBKS and KKR, who will have to hope Mumbai loses their next game and win the NRR contest against any team that reaches 14. Compared to the current NRR of KKR (-0.256) RR (0.140) and MI (-0.128), RCB (0.166) are better positioned.

Here's how fans reacted to CSK and SRH's playoff qualification scenario:

So it's the 3-4 teams against RCB today ?
RCB gonna win ❤️

— Aakash Agarwal (@agarwalaakash16) May 18, 2023

We have trust on RCB❤️
Congratulations to CSK and LSG for qualify to playoff’s 🙌

— DeadPool (@dhfm_Deadpool) May 18, 2023

It's RCB power to whom to send onto playoffs😎😂

— I am a fan (@darabsi13463487) May 18, 2023

Lsg will qualify 🤣🤣 Kohli doesn't need better motivation than this.

— Bullet Prakash (@FfsDDP) May 18, 2023

Not possible.. Script writer aisa kabhi nahi hone dege..! #JayShah 🤧

— 𝐀𝐛𝐡𝐢 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥 (@abhi_patil7) May 18, 2023

RCB to proceed to 4th spot today! #SRHvsRCB

— Pratyush Mahapatra (@Pratyush_it_is) May 18, 2023

It will happen haar cb go home as usual

— Satish Sigroha (@SatishSigroha) May 18, 2023

I just got to know bout the script.
Rcb beats Srh today and Csk losing Vs Dc whereas Mi losing vs srh .
Lsg finishes in Top2 and Rcb defeats Csk in eliminator to face GT who lose vs LSG In qualiifier 1 . RCB advances to the final And crowns trophy for the first time with vk 100.

— Cricket In parallel World (@parallel_cric) May 18, 2023

So much pressure on RCB to keep further matches alive 😂😂

— Ranjeet Sood (@Ranjeet18) May 18, 2023

SRH is famous for upsetting others
Can it upset RCB today? pic.twitter.com/IiJWXrdckC

— Swaroop D (@swaroopspaces) May 18, 2023