IPL 2021, Playoff qualification scenario: KKR powered with strong NRR, PBKS face uphill task
KL Rahul's 67 and Mayank Agarwal's fiery 40 guided Punjab Kings (PBKS) to a five-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday. Here is how the playoff qualification scenario looks like for the two teams after match 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
Points Table
| Position | Teams | M | W | L | Points | NRR | Qualified | Last 3 Matches |
| 1 | Chennai Super Kings | 11 | 9 | 2 | 18 | +1.002 | Q | W W W |
| 2 | Delhi Capitals | 11 | 8 | 3 | 16 | +0.562 | - | L W W |
| 3 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 11 | 7 | 4 | 14 | -0.200 | - | W W L |
| 4 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 11 | 5 | 6 | 10 | +0.363 | - | W L W |
| 5 | Mumbai Indians | 11 | 5 | 6 | 10 | -0.453 | - | W L L |
| 6 | Punjab Kings | 11 | 4 | 7 | 8 | -0.288 | - | L W L |
| 7 | Rajasthan Royals | 11 | 4 | 7 | 8 | -0.468 | - | L L L |
| 8 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 11 | 2 | 9 | 4 | -0.490 | - | L W L |
Kolkata Knight Riders Playoff Qualification Scenario
A superior NRR still places Kolkata in a comfortable position despite the five-wicket defeat in Dubai. They will now play against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals. Victory in their next two games will leave them with 14 points, but KKR's fate depends on one between Royal Challengers or Mumbai Indians finishing with less than 16 points at the end of the league stage.
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Punjab Kings Playoff Qualification Scenario
While the win boosted their chances of making the playoffs, it put Delhi Capitals through to the knockouts making them the second team in IPL 2021 to qualify for the second round after Chennai Super Kings. Win their their next two games will also leave them on 14 points, but it will not be enough for KL Rahul's men. They need both Kolkata and Mumbai to suffer defeats in their subsequent games.
