How many times have Punjab Kings reached playoffs in IPL history?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) became the third team to be eliminated from the IPL 2023 league stage following their four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals on Friday, May 19, in Dharamshala.

The valiant efforts from Sam Curran (49* in 31 balls), Jitesh Sharma (44 in 28 balls), and Shahrukh Khan (41* in 23 balls) pushed PBKS to 187 after they crumbled at 50 for 4 in 6.3 overs.

Despite Kagiso Rabada's early dismissal of Jos Buttler in the chase, Rajasthan Royals rode on the brilliance of Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 in 36 balls) and Devdutt Padikkal (51 in 30 balls).

It was Shimron Hetmyer's late attack (46 off 28 balls) that got them closer to the target before Dhruv Jurel sealed the win with a thumping six over long-off against Rahul Chahar in the last over.

The @rajasthanroyals stay alive in the season courtesy of a remarkable chase 🙌

#RR clinch a 4-wicket victory in Dharamsala 👏🏻👏🏻

Scorecard ▶️ bit.ly/TATAIPL-2023-66

#TATAIPL | #PBKSvRR https://t.co/rXvH1o0uf1

The win helped RR to keep their slender hopes of IPL 2023 playoffs alive with a couple of results needed to get their way on Sunday, May 21. Meanwhile, PBKS failed to make their presence in the playoffs for the ninth season in a row.

The Shikhar Dhawan-led side won six and lost eight matches to accumulate 12 points to finish eighth on the table ahead of Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad (the table standings might change on May 20).

Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) last entered the playoffs round in the IPL under Australian George Bailey's captaincy. It is their only presence in the playoffs since the innovative knockout stage came into effect in 2011.

However, the Punjab outfit finished second on the points table in the inaugural season with 10 wins, four losses, and 20 points under Yuvraj Singh. They made it through to the now defunct semi-final format only to lose to MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings by nine wickets in Mumbai.

Punjab Kings have qualified for the knockout round (semi-finals and playoffs) only twice in the history of the IPL - 2008 and 2014.

How did Punjab Kings fail yet again?

Punjab Kings started the IPL 2023 with back-to-back victories against Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. They pulled off a nervy five-run win against the Royals in Guwahati.

They managed two wins in their next five games with both the victories against Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians going to the last over.

However, Punjab Kings missed the opportunity to capitalize on home advantage as they lost to both Lucknow and Mumbai in Mohali. Nevertheless, they defeated CSK at their fortress in Chepauk in a 201-run chase.

Proud of our boys for taking the match down the wire but we end the season on a tough note. 💔

Read the detailed #PBKSvRR ➡️ bit.ly/3MnlIuW

#JazbaHaiPunjabi #SaddaPunjab #TATAIPL

Dhawan's men could manage just one win against Delhi Capitals in their last four league games. The Capitals bounced back in Dharamshala to avenge their 31-run defeat in Delhi.

Punjab Kings followed the same pattern as they did in the previous seasons. Inconsistency and failure to hold on to the momentum of a great start to the season yet again cost them.