Kolkata Knight Riders haven’t been at their best in the ongoing season of the IPL. They have played 10 games so far wherein they could win only four games and lost the remainder of the six games this season.
Nitish Rana and Co are currently eighth on the table with 8 points. The path to qualify for the playoffs is getting tougher as the tournament progresses. They locked horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the must-win game in Hyderabad.
It was also a must-win game for SRH but they let the chance slip away from their hands. Kolkata Knight Riders churned out a five-run win over the Sunrisers and keep their playoffs hopes still alive.
Qualifications scenario of KKR in IPL 2023
Despite losing six matches in IPL 2023, KKR still have a chance to make it to the playoffs. Let’s learn about the qualification scenario of KKR. In the best-case scenario, KKR will have to win all their remaining four games.
If they manage to defy the odds and come through with flying colours, they will end up at 16 points by the end of the league stage. KKR will have to play against Punjab Kings (home), Rajasthan Royals (home), Chennai Super Kings (away) and Lucknow Super Giants (home).
KKR can qualify quite easily if 6 other teams overall manage to win seven or lesser games in IPL 2023. If KKR manages to win all their remaining fixtures then it is quite obvious that PBKS, RR, CSK and LSG will lose at least one match.
So, going by this scenario, it will be better if RR or CSK, PBKS, RCB, MI, SRH and DC manages to win a maximum of only seven games this season.
#1. Delhi Capitals should lose at least one match in the remainder of the league stage this season. So, let’s assume that CSK will beat DC, which seems to be a likely scenario, then let’s assume DC goes on beat CSK, RCB and PBKS (twice) in the remainder of the season. It will lead to more defeats for CSK, RCB and PBKS. In this case, DC will end up with only seven wins in IPL 2023.
#2. Sunrisers Hyderabad must lose 1 more match to RR/LSG/GT/RCB/MI. Going by the above scenario both LSG and GT has no yardstick to lose any games. As a result, it will be better if either one of LSG or GT beats SRH and SRH goes on to beat RR, RCB and MI in their remaining matches. In this case, SRH will end up with a maximum of 6 or 7 wins.
Points to remember:-
CSK should lose 3 matches to KKR, DC and MI. If this happens, then CSK will end at 7 wins with a maximum of 14 points.
RCB should lose 3 games to DC, SRH and MI. If this happens, then RCB will end at 7 wins with 14 points.
PBKS should lose two matches against DC, meaning that they can win a maximum of 7 games only in IPL 2023.
If the above scenario happens, then all other six teams get eliminated. It literally means that KKR with 16 points can make it to the IPL 2023 playoffs.
