Even though Kolkata lost their game against Royal Challengers Bangalore the other night, the Knights will hope for the Challengers to put an end to Kings XI Punjab's winning run and give them a crucial lifeline ahead of their next game against Pune Warriors India on Thursday.
Kolkata are just one win away from confirming their place in the play-offs, the first time that they would have made it to the last four stage in the Indian Premier League. On 14 points from 12 games, they are facing a close challenge from Punjab, who are the only other team who can pip them to the fourth place on points if they win their remaining two matches. The Adam Gilchrist-led side has rallied well in the last couple of games to garner 12 points from 12 games. Another two wins will take them to 16 points and Kolkata will be desperate to avoid that situation.
Kolkata play Pune on Thursday before taking on Mumbai at the Eden Gardens in their final league game. Even though the law of averages seemed to have caught up with Mumbai, who now appear to have peaked a little early in the tournament, they will surely try and finish the league stage with a win. Already two consecutive losses has pushed them from the number one to the number three position. And they next take on Rajasthan Royals in a home game on Friday. That will be Rajasthan skipper Shane Warne's last IPL game and the team will surely try and give a perfect sendoff to the captain who took them to an unexpected title win in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.
Another team that can make the contest for the fourth place a three-way tie is Kochi Tuskers Kerala. After beating Rajasthan on Sunday, they have 12 points from 13 games. They, however, play Chennai Super Kings in their final league game on Wednesday. If the debutants can continue to exhibit their giant killing spree, they too could be in with a chance of making it to the last four with 14 points.
The scenario thus emerging is quite clear.
Kolkata will have to win their remaining two matches to confirm their place in the last four. If Kolkata lose a game and Punjab win both theirs then they pip Kolkata to the play-offs. If Kolkata and Punjab both lose one game and win one game, then net run rate comes into play. However, if Kolkata lose both their game, Punjab win one and Kochi can win their final league game, it will be a three-way tie for the fourth slot.
With just nine games to go in the last week of the league stages, IPL 4 will witness the closest ever fight for a place to feature in the playoffs. May the best team win!
0 comments:
Post a Comment