Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL) reaches its final stage as the race for playoff qualification drags on with every game. Punjab Kings ended Delhi Capitals’ hopes of securing a top-four finish with an impressive win on Saturday, May 13. ,
Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clashed in the 60th match of IPL 2023 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Fifth-placed Rajasthan Royals have registered six wins from 12 matches and a win against RCB would propel them to the third spot in the points table thanks to a healthy net run rate of 0.636, which is the second highest this season. Sanju Samson-led RR are expected to secure playoff qualification if they win their remaining two games as they will enter the upcoming game against RCB as favorites after beating KKR by 9 wickets in the previous game .
If RCB beat RR on Sunday, they will remain seventh on the points table or overtake PBKS to sixth with a win by a big margin. Faf Du PlessisThe IPL-led side suffered an impressive defeat against Mumbai Indians in their last game and slipped to the seventh position in the points table. However, they have played one game less than all the teams sitting above them in the points table, hence, a win against RR will be very important for RCB on Sunday.
In the evening game on Sunday, Chennai Super Kings host Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. CSK are second in the points table with 15 points after their 27-run win over DC in their last game. Chennai are just one point behind table-toppers Gujarat Titans, who lost against Mumbai Indians in their last game. M S DhoniIf Chennai secures two points against KKR on Sunday, CSK under his leadership will become the first team to qualify for the playoffs this season.
Kolkata Knight Riders face CSK in a must-win encounter as a loss will end their chances of reaching playoff qualification this season. Nitish Rana-led KKR are placed eighth on the points table with just five wins from 12 matches after suffering an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat against RR in their last game.
A win against CSK and a draw against LSG in their last group-stage game will help KKR grab 14 points, but it won’t be enough to secure playoff qualification as they need favorable results from the other games as well. Even if RR beat RCB in the afternoon encounter, KKR’s playoff hopes will be shattered due to their poor net run rate.