Punjab Kings will seek to win big against CSK, as their playoff qualifying fate is not totally in their hands

Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) dreams of making the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 playoffs were all but shattered after they lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their last game. KL Rahul-led PBKS are now in sixth place in the table, ahead of their last league game against MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With a win over CSK, PBKS will be equal on points with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians with 12 points each (MI). However, due to their lower net run rate (NRR), PBKS will need to beat CSK convincingly and pray that both KKR and MI lose their next games.

Even yet, given the NRR disparity between fourth-placed KKR and fifth-placed MI, PBKS entering the playoffs is unlikely.

Despite their low playoff chances, PBKS will look to finish the season on a high note when they face CSK on Thursday.

CSK, on the other hand, is in a strong position to finish in the top two. Despite losing its past two matches, the Dhoni-led squad is still in second place because of previous season results.

After losing to SRH on Wednesday, RCB is in the third position with 16 points and a lower net run rate than CSK. In their final game, RCB will face table-toppers Delhi Capitals, and can only finish third if CSK loses to PBKS in their final match. Kohli’s side must also win by at least 130 runs. CSK also has a greater run rate.

Dhoni’s CSK, on the other hand, would not want to put their fate in the hands of the DC-RCB match and will seek to win on Saturday in order to secure a top-two spot and a berth in the Qualifier 1 match against Delhi Capitals.