IPL 2023 Playoffs: How Virat Kohli's RCB Can Face Gautam Gambhir's LSG For 3rd Time This Season

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants can face each other again, through different combinations, if they both qualify for the playoffs.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season is nearing its business end, with franchises looking to put in error-free performances in order to end the league stage of the campaign in the top 4 spots. So far, defending champions Gujarat Titans are the only ones who have qualified for the next round while a total of seven teams are competing for the three remaining spots. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants are two of those teams who are still in the fray. In fact, after Punjab Kings' defeat to Delhi Capitals on Wednesday, RCB's probability of qualifying has increased from 27.5 per cent to 30.7 per cent, according to official broadcaster Star Sports.

RCB and LSG, who have already faced each other twice this season, winning one match each, have arguably produced the most 'engaging contests', both on the field and off it. The altercations that Virat Kohli had with Gautam Gambhir and Naveen-ul-Haq haven't died down completely in the minds of fans who are still wondering if there's a way the two franchises can square off again.

Since both the teams are still within the shout to qualify for the playoffs, it is quite possible for LSG and RCB to square off once again this season. But, for that to happen, both of them would need to finish the league campaign among the top 4 sides.

Scenario 1:LSG (15 points in 13 games) beat KKR to claim 17 points. Chennai Super Kings (15 points in 13 games) beat Delhi Capitals to end league campaign on 17 points too. But, they beat LSG to the second spot on the basis of a higher Net Run Rate. CSK have a better NRR to LSG at present.

RCB win their remaining two matches -- against SRH and GT -- to claim 16 points and finish 4th in the points table. Such a situation sets up RCB vs LSG clash in the Eliminator.