IPL 2023 Playoffs Scenario: How RCB can get the No. 2 Spot

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IPL 2023 is now running in full throttle towards its business end. The playoffs are approaching soon and it will be a battle between 7 teams for three spots with the final 5 league matches to go.

Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad are already eliminated this season. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have qualified for playoffs already.

The defending champions will play the Qualifier 1, having already secured the summit spot in the league table. But who will they face? That is the biggest question at the moment.

IPL's playoff rules are appropriate. It gives the top two teams in the league phase an extra cushion. The top two teams face each other in the Qualifier 1. The winner advances to the Final directly, whereas the loser still has a chance to revive themselves.

The loser of Qualifier 1 then plays the winner of Eliminator, the match where the 3rd-placed and 4th-placed team lock horns against each other. In this way, the best-performing teams in the league phase get an extra lifeline, which is fair and massively demanding.

IPL 2023: 2nd Spot up for Grabs

This season, the elusive 2nd spot is yet to be sealed. Four teams are in quest for the elusive 2nd spot with each to play their final league games in the next two days.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings - all are in the race for the second spot.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore are currently 4th in the league table. They have 14 points after 13 matches. Their Net Run Rate (NRR) is +0.180, which is the 4th best in the tournament.

RCB Next Match in IPL 2023

RCB will play their final league game against Gujarat Titans on Sunday (May 21). Their match on Sunday night is the last league game of this season, and by the play, either their 2nd spot hopes will be gone, or they will have a massive chance to get the elusive 2nd spot.

RCB IPL 2023 Playoffs Scenario: How RCB can get to the No. 2 Spot

Royal Challengers Bangalore will have to win their match against Gujarat Titans to have any chance of qualifying as the 2nd best team in the league. Although the win is imperative, it won't warrant a place for them in the top two.

RCB would require both Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings to lose as well. CSK play against 9th-placed Delhi Capitals on Saturday afternoon, while LSG play their game against KKR afterwards on the same day. Hence RCB will get an understanding of their situation by Saturday only.