IPL 2021: Playoff Qualification Scenario for all 8 teams ahead of UAE leg
The IPL 2021 playoff qualification scenario often tends to heat up the battle in the second half of the tournament, but due to the ongoing pandemic, cricket lovers were deprived of that action for a few months. However, the tournament is set to resume in the UAE with a little shuffle in the original schedule.
Despite plenty of kerfuffle unfolding in Manchester, the tournament will transpire as per the previous schedule. As it turned out, the 29th game of the tournament played on May 2nd earlier this year between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, was the last one, before a Covid-19 outbreak postponed the tournament until further notice. After 4 months, the tournament will resume in the middle-east and following it will be the T20 World Cup.
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Plenty at stake for all the teams involved, with all of them mathematically still in contention to make it to the playoffs. Here’s how the playoff qualification scenario stands for each team in IPL 2021.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Current Standing: 8th
Games Remaining: 7
Teams to face: Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 6
One of IPL’s most consistent units, the Sunrisers Hyderabad encountered horrible failure in the first half of the tournament, which was symptomatic of some poor team selection and on-field mishaps. Having lost 6 of their 7 games (and hold the worst NRR), Sunrisers will have to produce a miraculous comeback to procure a place in the final four. They will have to win at least 6 of their remaining 7 fixtures to remain in contention, and must also ensure they register a couple of big wins to cover up the Net Run Rate.
Also Read: Where to Watch IPL 2021: Live Streaming and TV Details for UAE leg of IPL 2021
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Current Standing: 7th
Games Remaining: 7
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 5
Teams to face: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals
Much like the Sunrisers, Kolkata Knight Riders have struggled to put forward a winning-combination throughout the first half and registered just two wins. They replaced Pat Cummins with Tim Southee for the UAE leg. Their challenge in the middle-east doesn’t get any simple, as they face off the top four teams of the tournament thus far, in their first three games (CSK, RCB, MI and DC). They must get to the 14-point mark and expect some other results to go their way but as it stands, the mountain looks too steep to eclipse.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Current Standing: 6th
Games Remaining: 6
Teams to face: Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 5
In their last game before the suspension of IPL 2021, Punjab Kings registered a commanding win over the Royal Challengers and appeared to be getting back in shape. This disruption will do no good to their form, as their aspirations of a playoff finish will require some monumental results to go their way. They kick-off their second leg against Rajasthan Royals and must start on a positive note to keep their ambitions alive.
Rajasthan Royals
Wake me up when September begins.
#IPL2021 | #HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily | #IPLFixtures pic.twitter.com/2CrGOCNtGO
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) July 25, 2021
Current Standing: 5th
Games Remaining: 7
Teams to face: Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 4
Courtesy of a whirlwind century from Jos Buttler, Rajasthan Royals managed to finish their Indian leg of the tournament with a breathtaking win against Sunrisers. However, Jos Buttler will not be available for the second phase of the tournament and the management have roped in Evin Lewis in his place. They aren’t far from playoff qualification, however, they are behind a top four who boast brilliant squads. While there is no denying that the mathematical chances are pretty decent, it will be a herculean task for Samson and company to finish in the top four.
Mumbai Indians
Mumbai Indians are eager to make it three titles on the trot.
Current Standing: 4th
Games Remaining: 7
Teams to face: Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 4
In pursuit of becoming the first team to win three titles in a row, the Mumbai Indians were slowly picking up their form before the halt occurred. Despite losing two of their opening four games, they managed to raise the bars in the games that followed. One of the great T20 teams to have been assembled, this Mumbai side will take some beating to be denied of a place in the IPL 2021 playoff.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)
Current Standing: 3rd
Games Remaining: 3
Teams to face: Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 5
The Royal Challengers Bangalore are playing with that extra swagger this time, one that suggests they could finally achieve their long-deprived dream. The path ahead for them looks pretty alike their opening half of the campaign, making it difficult to categorize as “easy” or “tough”. The playoff scenario looks uncomplicated for Virat Kohli’s side, but they must ensure the bigger picture is not playing in their minds whilst ticking the initial few boxes.
Chennai Super Kings
Current Standing: 2nd
Games Remaining: 7
Teams to face: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings.
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 3
The Chennai Super Kings looked almost unbeatable in the first half of the tournament, with different players stepping up on each occasion to get the team across the line. With five wins already in their kitty, one must assume they will make it to the playoffs for a record 11th time. They have a strong spin department, who could turn out to be vital once the tracks begin to slow down right at the business end.
Delhi Capitals
Current Standing: 1st
Games Remaining: 6
Teams to face: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Minimum Games to win to ensure qualification: 2
Just the way they did in the last two seasons, the Delhi Capitals are determined to mount a serious title challenge and they are halfway there. Having won 6 of their 8 games, they did plenty of the rough work already, and it won’t require much sweating from their end to make it to the playoffs. In the six games remaining, they can confirm a place in the playoffs with two wins. But their ambitions will be to finish in the top two, which won’t be easy as Chennai and Bangalore are right by their neck.