Expected Outcome of Vivo IPL 2021 & The Winner of IPL

Vivo IPL 2021 is evenly poised as 5 teams [Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rajasthan Royals (RR) & Mumbai Indians (MI)] are competing for the remaining two spots in the play-offs as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) & Delhi Capitals (DC) are qualified and would be hoping to be in the top 2 positions in the points table as both are well placed at 18 points.

RCB just need to make sure that they don’t lose their remaining 3 matches which they are due to play against PBKS, Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) & DC because there is an outside chance that they would get eliminated.

MI, RR, PBKS & KKR are all stuck at 10 points as they have only 2 remaining matches; only KKR has had a superior net run rate (NRR) of + 0.302 among the 4 teams whereas there is cut – throat competition among PBKS: – 0.236, RR: -0.337 & MI: -0.453. It’s a do or die situation for all these 4 franchises.

• MI’s possible chance to make play-offs

MI’s next match is against RR which is scheduled on 5^th of October at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the pitch of Sharjah has been slow & tacky. RR have a slight good NRR which is an issue for MI as they not just need a victory but they need a thumping victory in excess of 30 – 50 runs or win the match with 2-3 overs remaining in the tank. For that to happen one of the batsmen of MI may be Rohit or Suryakumar needs to play till the end of the innings. It is extremely important in T20’s that one batsman should take a responsibility of being a supporting batter. If MI or RR lose that match then one team gets eliminated. If MI win against RR, then they have a solid chance of making it to the play-offs as their next match is against the SRH on the 8^th of October at the Abu Dhabi which is the final day of league phase matches who are having a forgettable season. MI have a knack of making it to the play-offs against all odds which is their peculiarity. It’s absolutely clear MI need resounding victories and to start with that they need to play like Mumbai Indians way.

• RR’s chance to make play-offs

RR are coming back on a sensational victory against the CSK. RR’s next match is against MI at Sharjah on 5^th of October. RR vs MI match is going to be pivotal as stated earlier. RR too need dominating victories as their NRR is better than MI but still not up-to the mark. If RR somehow defeat MI then their next match is too at Sharjah against KKR.  For both KKR & RR that would be the last match of the season; if RR win against KKR then they would have a golden chance to make it to play-offs & would be the party-spoilers as RR has not made it to the play-offs since 2018. If RR lose one match out of 2 then their journey would be ended. The specialty of RR is that any-one can become match-winner as RR is not a one-man team.

• PBKS’s possible road to make play-offs

PBKS are making good progress. PBKS’s next match is against RCB on 3^rd October at Sharjah. It’s a win-win situation for PBKS too. The problem for PBKS has been their middle order as the bulk of scoring runs has been done by their top-order especially by the skipper K.L. Rahul. There is some oddity for PBKS as their remaining matches are in day-time which could well be a decisive point as there is a lot of humidity. They are going to play RCB at Sharjah on the 3^rd of October & CSK at Dubai on the 7^th of October. PBKS are due to play two of the strongest teams which no doubt has been the heavy-weights of IPL this season & they also don’t have the services of the self-proclaimed Universe Boss “Chris Gayle” who has opted out of IPL in midway citing bubble fatigue. It would require a humongous effort to defeat these teams. If PBKS just win two matches narrowly then it would be all come down to NRR which is scary for the team. PBKS haven’t made it to the play-offs since 2014 which is a long way back.

• KKR’s possible road to make play-offs

KKR got a heart-breaking loss against PBKS which just have opened the gates of confusion for the team.  KKR are going to face SRH on 3^rd of October at the Dubai. This match for KKR is a gift as SRH are off-color in this season and they should capitalize as much as possible. KKR are firing all the cylinders and they should not get complacent as SRH would hope that they will be the uninvited ghosts. If KKR pass the hurdle of SRH then their last league fixture is against RR on 7^th of October; that clash could be the end of RR or KKR. KKR have been hunting in packs which is a dangerous sign as the opponent team can’t take any one lightly.

The Likely 4 teams to advance for Play-Offs are:

• CSK
• DC
• RCB
•  MI

MI have an uphill task but they are somewhat the dark horses who have come from bottom to top which has been seen in the season of 2014 IPL. The reason behind MI will qualify is that they would have their task cut-out as they are going to play the match on the last day of the league phase. In 2014 IPL MI did the same thing by outclassing RR as in that match MI had chased down a mammoth target of 190 runs in 14.4 runs; but there is a twist as this time MI is going to face SRH in Dubai and not in Mumbai.

• The Likely Winner of IPL will be CSK or MI

MI hardly fails to make the most of an opportunity whereas CSK would be trying to get their hands on the trophy for the 4^th time. CSK will get two opportunity to make it to the finals whereas MI will try to make it a hattrick of titles. If MI & CSK clash in finals then the inevitable will happen.