The league stages of the 2023 Indian Premier League came to an end with the Gujarat Titans defeating the Royal Challengers Bangalore in Bengaluru. The hosts bowed out of the playoff race, with the Mumbai Indians becoming the fourth team to qualify. Earlier, the Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings sealed their spots in the top two on the points table. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants’ win against the Kolkata Knight Riders secured their playoff place.
Let’s take a look at the details about the 2023 Indian Premier League playoff:
Format:
The playoff stages of the 2023 Indian Premier League will begin with the First Qualifier, between the top two ranked teams. The winner of the match will go through the finals, while the loser will get another opportunity. The third and fourth-ranked teams will play the Eliminator. The winner of the Eliminator will have to go past another hurdle, i.e. the second qualifier against the loser of the first qualifier. The winner of the second Qualifier will head to the finals.
Schedule:
Qualifier 1: Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, Tuesday, May 23, 7: 30 PM, Chennai
Eliminator: Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians, Wednesday, May 24, 7: 30 PM, Chennai
Qualifier 2: Loser of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Eliminator, Friday, May 26, 7: 30 PM, Ahmedabad
Final: Winner of Qualifier 1 vs Winner of Qualifier 2, Sunday, May 28, 7: 30 PM, Ahmedabad
Telecast:
Star Sports will telecast the playoff of the 2023 Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, live streaming will be available on Jio Cinema.
SWOT Analysis of the Playoff Teams:
Gujarat Titans
| Strengths | Shubman Gill’s form, Bowling unit well led by Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan |
| Weakness | No overwhelming weakness. A slight concern will be the economy rates of bowlers other than Rashid Khan and Mohammed Shami |
| Opportunities | For David Miller and Rahul Tewatia to come to the party |
| Threats | The slow-paced wicket at Chepauk, where they haven’t played this season |
Chennai Super Kings
| Strengths | My biggest strength has been the form of the openers, and Matheesha Pathirana’s bowling at the death. |
| Weakness | Moeen Ali and Ambati Rayudu’s form. |
| Opportunities | The Chennai Super Kings will play the first QF at their home, which will be an opportunity for them to use their home conditions well. |
| Threats | The inexperienced bowling attack has done well in the tournament so far. However, in high-pressure playoff games, inexperience could be a threat. |
Lucknow Super Giants
| Strengths | Overseas players like Marcus Stoinis, Kyle Mayers, and Mark Wood doing well |
| Weakness | Krunal Pandya’s form in the season and the absence of KL Rahul |
| Opportunities | For the Indian youngsters to step up for the team at this crucial juncture |
| Threats | Economy rates of Indian pacers |
Mumbai Indians
| Strengths | Suryakumar Yadav’s emphatic form |
| Weakness | Bowling unit leaking runs |
| Opportunities | For Kumar Kartikeya to use the slowish Cheapauk wickets to his advantage |
| Threats | Rohit Sharma’s inconsistent performance |
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