The playoff qualification race is getting tighter with every match in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The teams sitting in the bottom four places are claming victories over the top teams and that has set the IPL on fire this time around. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) continue to find themselves in the mid-table muddle after losing to Mumbai Indians by six wickets. They are currently at the seventh position with five wins and six losses in 11 matches. RCB lost their last two matches despite doing well with the bat and that is hurting them badly.
RCB still have three matches to play with their last league game scheduled on May 21. To some extent, the team will ruing not to grabbing crunch moments in several matches and thus find themselves in this situation. Now, will they qualify for the playoffs this season? Will NRR come into play?
Here we look at RCB's playoff qualification chances in IPL 2023?
How many matches RCB has played so far? What is their position in the points table?
RCB have played 11 matches so far in IPL 2023 winning 5 and losing 6. They are currently at the seventh place in the points table.
Against which teams RCB's matches are left?
RCB have some crucial games coming up against Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. Apart from the game against the Titans, the other two matches they will have to play away from home.
What RCB needs to do qualify for the playoffs?
RCB's hopes have taken a huge hit after losing to MI as they could not defend 200 runs. Now they have no option but to win all their remaining matches in order to qualify for the playoffs. Even a single loss will more or less end their hopes of making it to top four in the points table.
Can RCB make it to top 2?
With their loss against MI, RCB's chances of making it to top two have ended. Their NRR of -0.345 is not the best and even if they win their last three matches, the likes of GT and CSK are sitting pretty at the top and seems difficult for them to displace thanks to their good NRR as well. Firstly, RCB will have to concentrate on making it to the playoffs and after winning three matches, depending on their NRR, it remains to be seen if they can make it to top two. For now, it seems completely impossible for them to climb into top two.
