IPL 2021: The playoff race in IPL 2021 has become more interesting. Bangalore beat Punjab yesterday to become the third team to qualify for the playoffs. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have already made it to the playoffs.
Now only one spot is remaining in the playoffs, while according to statistics, any one of the three teams from Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals, can take the spot. Punjab also has a chance to qualify, but it has become more a game of math than cricket for them.
Kolkata Knight Riders have made a great comeback in this second phase of IPL. Even if they did not qualify as per the points table, after yesterday's win against Hyderabad, they have certainly strengthened their claim for it. KKR, who have played 13 matches, still have 12 points and occupy the fourth position i.e. the last qualifying position in the points table.
Kolkata has the highest chance to go into the playoffs.
If Kolkata, led by Eoin Morgan wins their last league match against Rajasthan on Thursday, they will almost be sure to go into the playoffs. This is because their net run rate (0.294) is the best in all three teams.
However, even after losing this match, the Kolkata team will have a chance to qualify. Kolkata will easily make it to the playoffs if Rajasthan loses to Mumbai in Tuesday's match and Mumbai loses to Hyderabad on Friday.
Rajasthan has to win both matches.
The next two matches of Rajasthan are extremely tough. The team is currently sixth in the points table with 10 points after 12 matches. Rajasthan will qualify for the playoffs if they win both their matches against Mumbai and Kolkata. It is more important for Rajasthan to beat Kolkata than to win against Mumbai. If Rajasthan loses to Kolkata, they will be out of the playoff race.
Although Rajasthan's net run rate (-0.337) is extremely poor, the easiest equation for them to reach the playoffs is to win the next two matches.
Mumbai's future is to be decided on Rajasthan and Kolkata match results.
Mumbai is currently seventh in the points table with 10 points. Qualifying for the playoffs for Rohit Sharma's team depends not only on its victory but also depends on the Rajasthan and Kolkata matches. Mumbai will first have to beat Rajasthan on Tuesday. They will then have to hope that Rajasthan wins their next match against Kolkata.
Not only that, they will also have to beat Hyderabad in their final league match, so they can qualify for the playoffs without worrying about the run rate. If it comes to the run rate in the end, the conditions for Mumbai (-0.453) don't look so good.