How Many Points are Needed to Qualify for IPL Playoffs?

With just seven league matches remaining in Indian Premier League 2023, three playoff spots are still up for grabs. Gujarat Titans have officially sealed a berth in the playoffs for themselves with 18 points already in their kitty. Over the years, minimum number of points needed to qualify for the playoffs have varied.

Only Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals have been eliminated from IPL 2023 till now. All the other seven franchises are fighting for the remaining spots. While the fate of Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants is in their own hands, the rest of the five teams will keep their eyes on the results of other teams as well.

It is certain that all seven remaining matches are of extreme importance, and after each match, the permutations and combinations will change accordingly. Finishing among the Top Two teams also gives a big advantage.

1️⃣st spot ocCUPpied! ⚡#AavaDe | #TATAIPL 2023 pic.twitter.com/JZFV2GMnwk

— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 16, 2023

How Many Points are Needed to Qualify for IPL Playoffs?

There is no certainty on points required to reach the IPL playoffs, but getting 16 points has generally been considered enough. However, things may change this season around. Lucknow and Chennai can qualify with 17 points, whereas we may see a three-way tie at 16 points between Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. In that case, two teams with even 16 points will not qualify.

In the last few years, we have seen teams qualifying with lesser points as well. In 2018, Rajasthan Royals qualified for the playoffs with 14 points, whereas in 2019, Hyderabad made the cut even with 12 points. So, there is no set parameter for the teams.

The competitiveness of the tournament is increasing season by season and the franchises cannot keep a fixed amount of victories in their mind ahead of the tournament. We can say that 18 is the new 16 as we have not seen any team with 18 points not qualifying for the playoffs.

Minimum Points to Reach IPL Playoffs (14 League Matches Per Season)

2008 – 15 points

2009 – 14 points

2010 – 14 points

2011 – 16 points

2014 – 14 points

2015 – 16 points

2016 – 16 points

2017 – 16 points

2018 – 14 points

2019 – 12 points

2020 – 14 points

2021 – 14 points

2022 – 16 points