Has CSK Qualified for Playoffs in IPL 2023?

A 6-wicket loss against Kolkata Knight Riders hasn’t allowed Chennai Super Kings to qualify for the playoffs of the ongoing 16th season of the Indian Premier League for the time being. Having said that, their fifth loss of the season doesn’t mean that CSK have been eliminated from the race of qualifying for the next round.

Had Chennai defeated Kolkata at the MA Chidambaram Stadium tonight, they would have become the first IPL 2023 team to confirm a berth in the playoffs. KKR, who had lost their last four matches at this venue, have registered a victory here for the first time since IPL 2012 final.

Reduced to 33/3 in the fifth over in a 145-run chase, the visiting team managed to recover from early breakthroughs on the back of a match-winning 76-ball 99-run fourth-wicket partnership between captain Nitish Rana (57*) and batter Rinku Singh (54). The two left-handed batters were able to score individual half-centuries primarily due to adjusting well to the spin-friendly conditions at the Chepauk on a Sunday night.

Has CSK Qualified for Playoffs in IPL 2023?

Not yet. Having won seven and lost five out of their first 13 matches of the season, Super Kings continue to be at the second position on the points table even after this loss.

Part of the only rain-abandoned match of the season, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men have a slight advantage in the form of an additional point. That being said, they would be keen to end the league stage on a winning note without increasing the suspense around their qualification. A victory in their last match will guarantee them of a Top Four finish irrespective of the results of other matches.

Next Match of CSK in IPL 2023

With their home leg of IPL 2023 league stage coming to an end now, Chennai will be facing Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 20.