The Chennai Super Kings are on the verge of losing the spot by knockout in the IPL for the first time in the game’s 13-year history. Having won just 3 of their first 11 games in a season in which the 3-time champions have seen themselves as a shadow over themselves, CSK is alive, albeit for a mathematical opportunity at IPL 2020.
It’s not often that the Chennai Super Kings have been at the bottom of the IPL table, but after some ordinary performances, unfathomable decision-making, and poor execution, CSK seems ready to finish the wooden spoon for the first time. .
IPL 2020: Points Table
The way the aging team lost their matches and couldn’t even compete raised the spirits of even their ardent fans. His biggest IPL loss – a 10-wicket hit against familiar foes and archrivals of the Mumbai Indians on Friday dampened his hopes of a late comeback.
MS Dhoni, who looked dejected after the 10-wicket loss to the Mumbai Indians, hinted that CSK will look to turn it around, at least for the sake of their pride. Dhoni, who rarely looks too far forward, spoke about planning for next season despite CSK not technically out of the play-off race.
Head coach Stephen Fleming had also said that CSK will look to provide opportunities for those who haven’t had many this season, while also trying to find the right results in the next 3 games.
It’s certainly a practical evaluation of two of the best IPL tacticians like CSK, not only to reverse their fortunes and win big in their next matches, but they also have to rely on some unlikely equations to work in their favor. if they want to be in the top 4 at the end of the group stage.
IPL points table and scenarios (as of October 26, after match 43)
IPL 2020: Points table. (Photo from India Today)
Can CSK still qualify for the 2020 IPL playoffs? Yes.
First of all, CSK need to win their next 3 matches and win them big.
CSK next matches
Vs RCB on October 25 in Dubai
Vs KKR on October 29 in Dubai
Vs KXIP on November 1 in Abu Dhabi
Even if they win all their next 3 matches, they are not guaranteed a place in the top 4. CSK can get a maximum of 12 points from now on. The only way to achieve quality is if teams are tied at 12 for fourth place and Dhoni’s men have a better net run rate than the others.
CSK has an unlikely task at hand as their NRR of -0.733 is the worst among the 8 teams at the 2020 IPL.
Now here’s what other teams must do to help CSK miraculously reach the play-offs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (loses to CSK)
Virat Kohli’s men have to lose to CSK on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders (they need to lose all their remaining matches)
Kolkata Knight Riders, who are in fourth place after their huge win over Delhi Capitals with 12 points from 11 matches, shouldn’t even win one of their next 3 matches if CSK is to stay alive.
KKR next matches
Vs KXIP on October 26 in Sharjah
Vs CSK on October 29 in Dubai
Vs RR on November 1 in Sharjah
Kings XI Punjab (need to beat KKR on Monday, lose their other 2 matches)
Kings XI Punjab reached fifth place on the 2020 IPL points table after snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in a low-scoring thriller against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday. They have won 4 on the trot, which has been a remarkable comeback as they staggered with only 1 victory in 7 games.
KXIP has 10 points with 11 games.
The Punjab Kings XI have to beat Kolkata Knight Riders on October 26, but they have to lose their two remaining games by big margins if CSK is to stay in the hunt. KXIP will reach 12 points if they manage to beat KKR on Monday.
KXIP next matches
Vs KKR on October 26 in Sharjah
Vs RR on October 30 in Abu Dhabi
Vs CSK on November 1 in Abu Dhabi
Sunrisers Hyderabad (needs to lose at least 1 of their next 2 matches and by a large margin (s)
Sunrisers Hyderabad slipped to sixth place after they choked off Kings XI Punjab on Saturday. They still have 8 points from 11 games. David Warner’s men face the top 3 teams in their remaining matches and can reach a maximum of 14 points.
For CSK to stay in the hunt, SRH has to lose at least 1 of their next 3 matches. With SRH’s NRR still positive, the former champions must lose a lot.
SRH Remaining Accessories
Vs Delhi Capitals on October 27 in Dubai
Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on October 31 in Sharjah
Vs Mumbai Indians on November 3 in Sharjah
Rajasthan Royals (needs to beat KXIP and KKR and lose to MI by a large margin)
The Rajasthan Royals are in seventh place with 8 points from 11 games. The Royals lost a decisive game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on October 22.
The Royals should also lose at least 1 of their next 2 games if CSK is to keep their hopes alive.
CSK is more reliant on the Royals’ results to keep going, as Steve Smith’s men should beat both Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders if the MS Dhoni team wants to stay in the race.
Why? Since KXIP has to beat KKR, KL Rahul’s men will reach 14 points if they beat both KKR and RR. Therefore, RR beating KXIP will be the ideal scenario for CSK.
Remaining RR accessories
Vs Mumbai Indians on October 25 in Abu Dhabi
Vs Kings XI Punjab on October 30 in Abu Dhabi
Vs Kolkata Knight Riders on November 1 in Dubai
