TATA IPL 2023: Punjab and RCB's playoffs qualification scenarios ahead of PBKS vs DC match today

With Gujarat Titans confirming the top-2 finish on the IPL 2023 points table, let's look at how PBKS' today's game against Delhi Capitals is going to affect the table.

How Punjab's win can affect MI, RCB, RR and KKR's race to playoffs--

If Punjab wins today's match

Punjab is sitting in 8th spot in IPL table

If Shikhar Dhawan's team notch up a win against Delhi, they will reach 14 points with one game in hand. This means they will be catapulted to the 5th spot likely pushing RCB, RR and KKR down the table. However, if the win is by a huge margin they might also affect MI who have a negative NRR and are sitting with 14 points in the fourth spot.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Sitting in 5th spot in IPL table

With two games in hand, RCB can qualify for playoffs if they manage to win their remaining fixtures with a huge margin. However, their fate hinges on PBKS vs DC result.

Delhi Capitals & Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sitting in 10th & 9th position in IPL table

With only 8 points in hand and 2 games remaining, DC and SRH are out of IPL 2023 playoffs race

Here are the playoffs qualification scenarios for remaining teams--

Chennai Super Kings

Placed 2nd in the IPL table

Chennai have played 13 games- won 7 and lost 5. Their LSG game was washed out, and both teams were awarded a point each.

CSK IPL 2023 playoffs qualification scenarios

CSK must defeat Delhi in their final match to guarantee a top-four finish. Currently, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Gujarat Titans can finish with more points than CSK, and a loss would put them in a precarious position where they depend on other outcomes.

They will advance if they win. However, CSK can only finish in the top two if Mumbai lose one of their two remaining fixtures.

CSK remaining fixture: Vs Delhi Capitals on May 20.

Mumbai Indians

Placed 4th in the IPL table

Mumbai have won 7 out of the 13 games they have played. While they now have 14 points in hand, their negative net run rate might haunt them later in the tournament. MI have a lower NRR (-0.117).

MI IPL 2023 playoffs qualification scenarios

Despite being in a comfortable situation, their 5-run loss against LSG has put them in a doubtful place. They need to win their final game by a huge margin otherwise, they might not only qualify for the top 4. Mumbai's low NRR could result in their elimination from IPL 2023 if teams are tied on 16 points.

Mumbai remaining fixtures: vs SRH on May 21

Lucknow Super Giants

Placed 3rd in the IPL points table

With 15 points in 13 games, Lucknow eyeing their second straight playoffs qualification. After winning by 5 runs against Mumbai, LSG are tied with Chennai at 15 points with one game in hand.

LSG playoffs qualification scenarios

If LSG lose their final game, MI, RCB and PBKS could overtake them.

LSG's remaining fixture in IPL 2023: vs KKR on May 20

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Placed 5th in the IPL points table

RCB jumped to the 5th spot on the points table after an emphatic 112-run win over Rajasthan Royals and kept their playoff hopes alive. Massive boost for RCB, NRR is finally in positive, and since PBKS play DC next, they should maintain their position if Delhi manage to beat Punjab.

Rajasthan Royals

Placed 6th in the IPL table

Rajasthan Royals slipped to sixth spot on IPL 2023 points table after a humiliating 112-run defeat. RCB bundled out them for a mere 59 runs, which made a significant dent on their net run rate. With 12 points and only one game in hand, Sanju Samson's side needs to win their last league and hope for other results to go in their favour, as qualifying with a total of 14 points seems not easy.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Placed 7th in the IPL points table

Kolkata kept their playoff hopes alive after beating Chennai in their own den. KKR have 12 points in 13 games, and they need to win their last league game and hope the other results in their favour. Qualifying with a total of 14 points seems difficult, given more than two teams could have 14 points after all their league games.

Meanwhile, defending champions Gujarat Titans with 18 points have already qualified for the IPL playoff.