RCB Playoffs Qualification Scenario: Can Royal Challengers Bangalore Finish in Top 4 of IPL 2023?

With nine other teams also battling for a spot in the IPL 2023 Playoffs, RCB will need to be at the top their game to see off their challengers to finish in the top four, which guarantees a berth to the next phase of the tournament.

IPL 2023 playoffs will see the top four teams contest in four matches – Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and then the Final – to decide the winner of the 16th season. The top two earn a second chance at making the final.

The top two will face in the Qualifier 1 with the winner of that match earning a direct entry into the final, while loser gets a second shot at making the final via Qualifier 2, where they will face the winner of the Eliminator.

In the Eliminator, the third placed team and the fourth placed team faceoff in a knockout match. So, most teams, including Royal Challengers Bangalore, will aim for the top two positions in the points table.

As it stands, RCB are locked with three other teams – Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings – on 10 points. While RCB, MI and RR have earned 10 points from 9 matches, PBKS have played a game more. Only RR has a positive Net Run Rate and hence occupy the fourth spot.

Although on the negative side, RCB, have the better NRR compared to MI and PBKS. But to improve their chances of moving up the table, the Bangalore-based side will have to simply win their remaining matches.

IPL 2023 Playoffs Schedule: Qualified Teams, Date, Time Table, Venues, Live Streaming Info

RCB has so far beaten Delhi Capitals, MI, PBKS, RR and Lucknow Super Giants, while they suffered defeats to Kolkata Knight Riders (twice), Chennai Super Kings and LSG (reverse fixture). They have also played 6 of their 7 home matches already. So, they need to go unbeaten on the road.

After losing four of nine matches, can Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are very dependent on their top three when it comes to batting in the IPL 2023, overcome the odds and still reach the playoffs?

RCB IPL 2023 Playoffs Qualification Scenario

Scenario 1: RCB need to win their remaining five matches, meaning they will have to do the double over Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals as well as beat Gujarat Giants at home in their final home match.

If they manage to do that, RCB will finish with 20 points and possibly in the top two because two teams in the current top four – CSK and LSG saw their match being washed and points shared. So, those two teams on 11 points will only have four matches to play this season.

Plus, GT and RR, who still need to face RCB, will meet each other and will take points off each other. This will give RCB more hope of making the playoffs. But, what happens if RCB lose one more match?

Scenario 2: If RCB win only four of their remaining matches, they will want the other teams that are on 10 points also to drop points as 18 points may be enough for a playoff spot.

But the Bangalore-based side will need to have an eye on their NRR as well because the current top four all have a superior NRR compared to theirs and could finish above them if they all end up on the same points. Can RCB afford to lose three matches?

Scenario 3: If RCB lose two of their remaining five, they will hope it doesn’t come against Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians, who are also on the same number of points. RCB can still sneak into the playoffs with three wins if the other teams also drop points.

If CSK and LSG, who are on 11 points each, also lose two of their remaining four matches, and RR as well as MI also lose two more matches, then RCB (if they win three of remaining five) will be level on points with two other teams.

But then the NRR will be very vital. So, RCB should ideally aim for four or five wins as finishing on 18 points almost guarantee a playoff spot rather than finishing on 16 points and depending on NRR to qualify.

RCB playoffs race remaining IPL 2023 fixtures