Cricket News: IPL 2021 Qualification Scenarios: What does each team need to do? | A look at IPL 2021 Qualification Scenarios for the playoffs
The World’s toughest T20 league is only getting interesting with each passing day. As we’re slowly heading to the business end of the tournament, the race to the playoffs is on with 4 teams still in the hunt for one qualification spot.
The League stage of the IPL 2021 is all set for a grand finish as the cash-rich league heads into a frenzy mode with four teams battling out for one final spot in the playoffs. Three teams- Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore have already qualified for the playoffs while the only team that’s been officially eliminated is the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals are the contenders for the final playoffs berth.
We take a look at what are the possible scenarios for the teams to qualify for the IPL 2021 playoffs.
Delhi Capitals
Games- 13, Points- 20, NRR- +0.526
Delhi Capitals have confirmed their place in the top two with a tough victory over CSK, led by Axar Patel and Shimron Hetmyer. They sit very well positioned with 20 points in 13 games with a positive net run rate of +0.526.
Upcoming fixtures: RCB on October 8
Chennai Super Kings
Games-12, Points- 18, NRR- +0.739
MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings to become the first team to book their place in the round of the final four. CSK have had a fine season, but have lost their last two matches and will want to get back on track. Victory in their final game against Punjab Kings should seal a top two spot given their much superior net run rate (+0.739) compared to RCB’s -0.157.
Upcoming matches: PBKS on October 7
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Games- 12, Points- 16, NRR- -0.157
Royal Challengers Bangalore became the third team to qualify for the IPL 2021 playoffs. Virat Kohli’s RCB entered the play-offs after reaching 16 points from 12 matches. RCB also has a chance to finish in the top 2. They have to win their next two matches by a big margin or hope CSK lose their next match as RCB’s poor NRR might not allow them to finish inside the top 2.
Upcoming fixtures: SRH on October 6, DC on October 8
Kolkata Knight Riders
Games-13, Points-12, NRR- +0.294
After a much-needed win against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday, KKR’s chances of reaching the play-offs received a huge boost. The Knights now stand with 12 points in 13 games with a positive net run rate which is better than the other teams who are in contention to qualify for the final spot.
All KKR needs to do is win their final match of the league stage and if they manage to win it by a big margin, the doors will be automatically closed on the other three teams who are in contention for the final spot.
Upcoming match: RR on October 7
Punjab Kings
Games- 13, Points- 10, NRR- -0.241
Punjab Kings had a fair chance to finish in the top 4 but the harrowing defeat against RCB has certainly dented their chances to qualify. Now, with only 10 points in 13 games they’ll have to rely on multiple factors. The best case scenario for PBKS is 12 points with a NRR that is marginally better than RR and MI, which will happen only if they win their last league game against CSK.
For Punjab to qualify, KKR need lose their next match to Rajasthan Royals and MI should beat RR on October 5. This alone won’t work as RR and MI also have to lose their other match by a big margin to help PBKS sneak through.
Upcoming match: CSK on October 7
Rajasthan Royals
Games-12, Points- 10, NRR- -0.337
The equation is pretty simple for Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals. RR has no options of losing; they have to win the remaining games against MI and KKR on October 5 and October 7 respectively to reach the play-offs. RR’s fate is in their hands as they play KKR as well, and after the last win against the table toppers CSK, they’ll be high on confidence to seal the number 4 birth.
Upcoming matches: MI on October 5, KKR on October 7
Mumbai Indians
Games- 12, Points- 10, NRR- -0.453
It is safe to say that the defending champions are struggling big time to secure their place in the top 4 of the points table. Mumbai Indians need to beat Rajasthan Royals on October 5 and Sunrisers Hyderabad on October 8. Also, they need to win those two matches by a big margin to get their net run rate into the positive territory which looks like an uphill task for Rohit Sharma’s men.
MI’s net run rate of -0.453 is the worst among the 4 teams in contention for the final play-offs spot. MI can get into the playoffs by winning only one of the remaining two fixtures but it would require a lot of other results to go their way, which is looking difficult at the moment.
Upcoming matches: RR on October 5, SRH on October 8
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Games- 12, Points- 4, NRR- -0.475
Since 2016, SRH played all the Playoffs and were the most consistent team until last year. However, this was their worst ever season as they struggled throughout be it the first phase in India or the second phase in UAE. The Orange army became the first team to get eliminated from the tournament.
Written by Vaibhav Tripathi. Follow Vaibhav on Twitter today.