CSK vs KKR: Explained - How Chennai Super Kings Can Qualify For IPL 2023 Playoffs After Defeat Against Kolkata Knight Riders

Updated - 15 May 2023, 01:12 AM

CSK vs KKR: Explained - How Chennai Super Kings Can Qualify For IPL 2023 Playoffs After Defeat Against Kolkata Knight Riders [PC: BCCI]

Table of Contents

Chennai Super Kings, on Sunday (May 14), suffered a 6-wicket loss at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The MS Dhoni-led side had the opportunity to seal their passage to the IPL playoffs with a win against the Kolkata-based outfit. However, the 4-time champions failed to come up with a good performance with both bat and ball to suffer their 5th defeat of the season.

After Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first, his team could manage only a modest total of 144/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Barring Shivam Dube (48*) and Devon Conway (30), no other CSK player could score more than 20 runs. For KKR, their star spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy led the charge with the ball, picking up 2 wickets apiece.

Also Read: CSK vs KKR: “This Guy Has The Leadership Quality” – Ravi Shastri Explains How MS Dhoni Became Captain In 2007

In reply, KKR were off to a disastrous start and were reeling at 33 for 3 with Deepak Chahar picking up all three wickets. However, the fifties from Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh helped KKR recover from the poor start and earn a hard-fought win.

IPL 2023 Playoffs Qualification Scenario for Chennai Super Kings:

While the defeat has not really jeopardized Chennai Super Kings’ playoff chances, it has certainly delayed it. The defeat could also dash their hopes of a top-two finish now. Fortunately for CSK, they still have their fate in their own hands as far as qualification is concerned.

Also Read: CSK vs KKR: Dale Steyn Reacts As MS Dhoni Again Decides Against Promoting Himself And Comes Out To Bat In The Last Over

If they win their remaining league game which is against Delhi Capitals, they will have a maximum of 17 points and will seal a playoff spot. They can qualify for the playoffs even if they lost against DC but will be at the mercy of other results as several teams are still in contention to finish on 16 or more points.

Their chances of finishing in the top two, however, look really bleak at the moment and it is not in their hands anymore. As of now, three teams – Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants can get to 17 or more points. Even if they win against DC, they need other results to go their way for a top-two finish.

Talking about KKR, they have kept alive their slim chances of making it to the IPL 2023 playoffs with the win. KKR now have 6 wins from 13 games and can finish with a maximum of 14 points. Even if they win their last game, they will have to depend on the result of several other games.

Also Read: RR vs RCB: Unfortunately, It Broke Us – Kumar Sangakkara After Rajasthan Royals’ Humiliating Defeat