IPL 2020 is now at its final stage and the race to play-offs has become more intense. Each has played 11 matches with CSK becoming the first team to qualify for play-offs.
Now, before diving deeper into the teams and their chances of qualifying for playoffs, let us first take a look at the current standings.
IPL 2021 Points Table [as of 1st Oct ]
After defeating Hyderabad, Chennai qualified for the playoffs. Delhi Capitals and Bangalore are also likely to qualify, given they just need one win from their remaining three games. As a result, the struggle for the final playoff spot appears to be between four teams.
So let us analyze, which among MI, KKR, RR, and PBKS have the best chance of qualifying, and what do they need to do so?
Mumbai Indians
Defending Champions sit at No. 5 position after their win over Punjab Kings. Poor show by SKY and Kishan has made Mumbai over-dependent on their opening duo of QDK and Hitman. The Rohit Sharma-led club has had a disappointing season so far, and if they were to make the playoffs, they would need more finishes from Pandya and Pollard. However, a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings has kept them in the race. MI has 10 points in 11 games, but their net run rate is -0.453, which means they now have to win the remaining matches against DC, RR, and SRH in their final three games.
Mumbai is no stranger to these types of scenarios, and they’ll be hoping to keep their winning run going.
Kolkata Knight Riders
The time between the first and second phases of the IPL has allowed Kolkata’s think tank to regroup and reflect, which has led to their success in the second phase. The Kolkata Knight Riders knew they had to win most of their matches in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021.
The Eoin Morgan-led side will be high on confidence after defeating Delhi’s capitals in their previous fixture. In addition, they have a higher net-run rate (0.363) compared to Mumbai. Now, If they win their final three games, Knight Riders will have 16 points in 14 games, putting them in a position to finish in the top four, In their remaining games, KKR will face PBKS, SRH, and RR, and will be the favorite to win in all those 3 fixtures. The in-form duo of Narine and Russell will be crucial KKR and they will also be hoping for performances from experienced Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik.
Rajasthan Royals
In the absence of Jos Buttler, the RR batting unit has struggled. Sanju Smason’s and their pacers’ progress is encouraging, but if they are to qualify for the playoffs, they will need contributions from other players as well. Mustafizur ‘Fizz’ has helped RR to stop the run flow in the final overs of the game. Rajasthan’s decision to play Riyan Parag has backfired and he should be replaced by Shivam Dube before it’s too late for them.
The Sanju Samson-led side’s chances have been hampered by back-to-back losses to SRH and RCB, and they slid to seventh place in the points standings. RR will face a difficult route to the playoffs, as they currently have 8 points in 11 games and will need to win their remaining three games while hoping that the teams above them lose. CSK, MI, and KKR will now be RR’s opponents.
Punjab Kings
Rahul’s team may have lost their recent encounter to defending champions MI, but they are still in the running for a place in the play-offs. Punjab’s reliance on Rahul has led to their demise, and they will be looking for strong performances from their other star players.
After eleven games, PBKS has eight points and needs to win all of their remaining matches. They will not, however, be able to reach the key 16-point mark, and will be reliant on the failure of other teams. They have a tough road ahead of them, as they face KKR, RCB, and CSK in their next three games.
