The unstoppable force which the Royal Challengers Bangalore star opening batters were tonight in Hyderabad, has made sure that they remain well in contention to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs.
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Having received a massive Net Run rate boost post annihilating Rajasthan Royals during their previous match, RCB were as aplomb as they could be. The Virat Kohli– Faf du Plessis opening stand chased down Sunrisers Hyderabad’s total (186/5) with four balls to spare.
The win has taken their points tally to 14, and they have replaced Mumbai Indians on the fourth spot in the table with one league match yet to play.
Did RCB Qualify For Playoffs 2023 After Win vs Sunrisers Hyderabad?
No yet. However, Bangalore have made sure that in order to qualify for the playoffs, they need not rely on other teams’ results to go their way.
The equation for them is pretty simple – win the last league match against Gujarat Titans on May 21 (Sunday), and qualify with 16 points under their name.
In fact, they could even finish in the top-2 and play the Qualifier if both Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants lose their last league match.
However, their dream for a maiden IPL title might well be shattered yet again if they lose their last match against the Titans, and MI (currently on 14 points as well) win their final league game against SRH (on May 21).
In case both RCB and MI lose their respective last league matches on Sunday, the former will qualify on the Net Run Rate Count.
RCB, with a NRR of +0.180 at present are way ahead of MI (-0.128) in this respect.
Virat Kohli equals Chris Gayle’s record for most IPL centuries
Virat Kohli (100) and Faf du Plessis (71) were all over SRH bowlers like a rash, as they stitched together an opening stand worth 172 runs off mere 108 deliveries.
With the help of 12 fours and 4 sixes, Kohli smashed his sixth IPL century, and equaled Chris Gayle‘s record for most number of tons in the tournament history.
