CSK Playoffs Qualification Scenario: Can MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings Finish in Top 2 of IPL 2023?

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Four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has had a decent campaign in the sixteenth edition of Indian Premier League - IPL 2023, losing five, winning seven and one match ending in no result so far.

In IPL 2023, CSK will be competing with at least six other teams for a playoff spot. And with having to settle for a point in their match against Lucknow Super Giants, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side need to be at the top their game to progress.

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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 Chennai Super Kings, will aim for the top two positions in the points table.

As it stands, Gujarat Titans are table toppers with 16 points, while CSK are in second with 15 points followed by third-placed Mumbai Indians on 14 points and fourth-placed LSG on 13 points, while Rajasthan Royals are in fifth place with 12 points.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings are all locked on 12 points, while Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad are on 8 points each.

CSK has so far beaten DC, MI (twice), RCB, LSG, KKR and SRH, while they suffered defeats to KKR, PBKS, RR (twice) and GT along with one No Result against LSG.

After losing five of thirteen matches and one match ending in no result, can Chennai Super Kings finish in the top two in possibly the swansong for their most successful skipper MS Dhoni?

CSK IPL 2023 Playoffs Qualification Scenario

Scenario 1: After defeat to KKR in the penultimate match, CSK need to win their remaining match, meaning they will have to do the double over Delhi Capitals to give themselves the best chance of finishing in the playoffs spots.

If they win the one matches, CSK will end up on 17 points, which may be enough for a playoff spot. But, that depends on other teams results.

CSK face DC in their remaining fixture. CSK will hope SRH and RCB to do them a favour and beat GT as well as the Hyderabad-based side to defeat MI to finish in the top two. But, CSK will first need to win their remaining match to get to 17 points.

If CSK get to 17 points, they will surely enter the playoffs as none of RR, PBKS, KKR and RCB can overtake them even if they win their remaining matches.

CSK Playoffs Race remaining IPL 2023 fixtures