With 12 points from 13 matches, KKR are currently sitting at the fourth position in the pecking order, just ahead of defending champions Mumbai Indians on net run-rate
Eoin Morgan
Two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders would strive for a handsome win over struggling Rajasthan Royals in their last round-robin game to stay ahead in the IPL play-offs race here on Thursday. With 12 points from 13 matches, KKR are currently sitting at the fourth position in the pecking order, just ahead of defending champions Mumbai Indians on net run-rate.
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MI too have 12 points from 13 games and still have a match to play against bottom-placed SRH tomorrow. If both KKR and MI win their last matches, then it will boil down to net run rate and that’s where the Eoin Morgan-led side (0.294) would have an edge as it currently enjoys a positive run rate compared to the Mumbai outfit (-0.048). KKR had a mixed bag in the second leg of the tournament so far, winning four and losing two games.
While KKR started the second phase with back-to-back wins over Royal Challengers Bangalore and MI before suffering a defeat to Chennai Super Kings, they came back to beat table toppers Delhi Capitals. A defeat against Punjab Kings followed before they outplayed SRH by six wickets to keep their nose ahead in the race for the play-offs spot.
Who’ll make the cut?
>> Equation for KKR: A win will virtually seal the fourth play-off spot for Eoin Morgan’s men. If they lose, they will hope SRH beat MI to go through on NRR.
>> Equation for MI: Rohit Sharma’s team can qualify for the play-off if they beat SRH and KKR lose to RR. However, if KKR win, MI will have to beat SRH by around 87-run margin to pip KKR. If KKR lose by a big margin and MI lose narrowly, then the latter will make it.
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