IPL 2023: RCB Frontrunners for 4th Play-Off Position

After fifty-five matches of IPL 2023, three teams appear to have cemented their places in the playoffs. Then, the fourth place could well go to RCB, who registered convincing wins over CSK and SRH in the week gone by. However, with the likes of DC, SRH and PBKS jostling for space, there could be a twist in the tale.

Highlights of the Week Gone by

Read on to learn about the highlights of the week.

MI Upset GT in Last Over Thriller

MI pulled off a Houdini act versus GT on 6 May at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium. In fact, MI batted first and scored 177/6. Chasing 178 to win, GT was poised at 169/4 in 19 overs, with Miller and Tewatia at the crease. Now, nine runs were needed off six balls. Then, MI skipper Rohit Sharma handed Daniel Sams the ball.

Miller cut the first ball to deep point for one. Then, Tewatia swung and missed at the next ball pitched wide outside the off-stump. The lefthander pulled the third delivery to deep-midwicket. Also, Tilak Varma covered a fair distance to his right and threw smartly to the keeper, who whipped off the bails.

The review showed that the bat was on the line, and Tewatia had to return to the dugout. The new man in, Rashid Khan, mistimed a pull off another wide ball outside the off stump. The batters crossed over for a single. So, GT now needed seven runs from 2 balls.

Miller swung and missed at the 5^th delivery, full, wide and slow. On the last ball, Miller’s best bet was to hit a six and take the game to a super over. As it happened, the South African swung and missed at a wide full toss. However, Sams had conceded just three runs and taken a wicket to secure his team a famous win.

DC, SRH, PBKS Stay in the Fray

All three of DC, SRH and PBKS have had five wins each from 11 games played. Nonetheless, eight wins are needed to guarantee any team a place in the play-offs.

RCB would need to win at least one of their remaining two games to qualify. On the other hand, DC, SRH and PBKS have each won 5 games and would need to win all of their remaining games. Firstly, DC has matches to play against RR, PBKS and MI. Then, SRH has matches against KKR, MI, and PBKS.

In addition to their matches versus DC and SRH, PBKS will have to face off against RCB. Also, The Bangalore franchise has a game versus GT.

Were RCB to lose both their remaining games, NRR could help decide which team would qualify. Likewise, RR could upset all our calculations by losing all of their remaining three matches. Though such outcomes appear unlikely, stranger things have happened in cricket, a “game of glorious uncertainties.”

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Raj

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Raj was born and raised in Nagpur, Rajesh moved to Pune to pursue a degree in the English Language at Savitribai Phule Pune University. Having a knack for writing from a very young age, he naturally excelled in his studies and decided to dip his toes in content editing, as well. Now, a full-time Editor, he enjoys spending his free time watching IPL and badminton matches and writing his first novel. His favourite sport is cricket and he believes cricket is life. But I’ve always dreamed of becoming a professional badminton player, so badminton is also at the top of my list. His biggest win is Saina Nehwal’s bronze at the 2016 Olympics landed him a brand new laptop after his bet on the winning margin came through. His biggest goal is meeting Saina Nehwal and telling her about his biggest win.