IPL 2023: How can RCB still qualify for playoffs with three games in hand? : The Tribune India

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IPL 2023: How can RCB still qualify for playoffs with three games in hand?

RCB will be facing RR, SRH, and GT in their final three games of the league stage.

Royal Challengers Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

With 10 points from the 11 games played, Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore are placed seventh in the points table, and their hunt for a playoff berth still goes on. In order to make a place in the top four, RCB need to win all the remaining games in the league stage. RCB will be facing Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans in their final three games, and they have to focus on getting victories.

Winning the three games will take their points table tally to 16, but they also need to make sure that they win the three games by a good margin so as to improve their NRR. The competition is very tight as multiple teams are in contention to make it to the playoffs and a positive NRR would help RCB get an upper hand over other sides. 

Even if Royal Challengers win their next two games and finish with 14 points, they will most likely be eliminated. If they lose their game against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, May 14, that will determine their fate in the tournament this year.

This is because three teams, namely Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, and either one of Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, or both, will finish with more than 14 points, and the Royals' strong NRR will guarantee that they finish at a place in the top four, as well.

Even if RCB win the three remaining games, their playoff spot will heavily depend on how other teams perform. There also is a chance that GT, CSK, MI, LSG, PBKS, and RCB all end up with 16 points by the end of the league stage, which would mean that the NRR will come into play and the team with the better run-rate would move forward.

CricTracker Desk

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