IPL 2021, CSK vs PBKS Preview: Punjab Kings Look To Keep Dim Playoff Hopes Alive vs Chennai Super Kings
NDTV
With their playoff qualification fate not entirely in their own hands, Punjab Kings will look to win big against Chennai Super Kings and give themselves some hope.
Failure to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their last game more or less evaporated Punjab Kings' (PBKS) hopes of making it to the playoffs of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. KL Rahul-led PBKS currently sit at sixth in the standings ahead of their final game of the league phase against MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK). A win over CSK will take PBKS to 12 points, level on points with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI). However, PBKS' inferior net run rate (NRR) means they will need to win comprehensively against CSK and hope both KKR and MI lose their next game.
Even then, a scenario of PBKS making it to the playoffs remains unlikely given the gap in NRR with fourth-placed KKR and fifth-placed MI.
However, despite their dim playoff hopes, PBKS will hope to end their campaign on a positive note when they take on CSK on Thursday.
On the other hand, CSK are in prime position to secure a top two finish. The Dhoni-led team has lost its last two matches but has remained second owing to previous performances in the season.
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