Written by Pradeep Kalamegam
With Kolkata Knight Riders confirming their qualification for the knockout stages by some hard earned victories, courtesy, their ability to clinch tense, key moments in a match, let us have a look at the other teams that can possibly join them at the business end of the competition.
Group A
1. Kolkata Knight Riders (Already qualified)
The Gautam Gambhir led side has not played any dominating cricket off late and should be extremely thankful to their lower order and Sunil Narine for that they are still extending their winning streak from IPL.
With a constant change in the top 3 and reluctance to field a specialist pacer do not augur well for their ambitions to win their maiden Champions League T20 crown. The performance of the two Yadav's - Kuldeep and Suryakumar is promising, but the team should understand that they cannot win every T20 match with 4 spinners and a couple of all-rounders.
Upcoming fixtures
v Dolphins, Hyderabad - September 29
The Protean side has some good T20 batsmen in their ranks who failed to fire big in the two matches so far. With the young Cameron Delport providing blistering starts every time, the lower middle order is toothless to pose any resistance to Sunil Narine and co. However, one cannot rule out a batting collapse against Kyle Abbott for sure.
Current Situation: Played 3, Won 3, Points: 12 (At top of Group A)
Predicted finish: Toppers of Group A with 16 points.
2. Chennai Super Kings - Win against Lahore Lions key
Campaign so far
The IPL powerhouses started off with a shock defeat against the Knight Riders who missed Robin Uthappa, Jacques Kallis (both fitness concerns), Morne Morkel (injury) and Shakib Al Hasan (serving a penalty from Bangladesh Cricket Board).
Having said that Suresh Raina and other batsmen helped them to a mammoth total in their second game that resulted in a convincing win. The depth in batting with an array of all-rounders is a blessing for the Men in Yellow and should improve their death bowling to go further into the tournament. The shorter boundaries in Bangalore will not suit their slow ball strategy at the slog overs as evident from the last game against Dolphins.
Upcoming fixtures
v Lahore Lions, Bangalore - September 25
If the batting order find some ways to score a target in excess of 160/170 against the Pakistan champions, it might be just enough for Mohammad Hafeez's men to execute their own self-destructing ways unless the bowlers err in length 'fabulously'. Ashish Nehra's improved version is something to consider as well as Lahore's lack of match winners in middle order sans Umar Akmal.
If made to chase, the finisher in Mahendra Singh Dhoni should be aware of the threat from Aizaz Cheema. Mohammad Hafeez's off spin might trouble Brendon McCullum at the start, but Raina's sublime form hands the advantage back to Super Kings.
v Perth Scorchers, Bangalore - September 29
Australia's Big Bash T20 champions lost a close encounter against KKR as Surya Kumar Yadav played a blinder to take his team home. Hence, will be keen to get back to winning ways and a loss against MS Dhoni's men will be curtains for their campaign.
The return to form of captain and opener Adam Voges is the only positive to take back against KKR and CSK's new ball bowlers will be tested against the in-form opening combination.
Mitchell Marsh's steep raising reputation as a match winner is a dangerous sign for the Chennai side. Nathan Coulter-Nile was awkward at the death vs KKR which might make Super Kings' job a little easier.
Current Situation: Played 2, Won 1, Points: 4 (2nd of Group A)
Predicted finish: Second place of Group A with 12 points
Net Run Rate
In case if the Kings fail to get across the line against LL, the encounter against Scorchers will be a must win fixture who should then hope for a Scorchers win in the match involving them and LL.
That will leave all three on eight points each had Lions manage to tame Dolphins on the way. The current superior Net Run Rate might be helpful factor of the former CLT20 champions.
The prospect of Dolphins making a shock entry into the knockout race with a win against KKR is highly unlikely.
Group B
1. Kings XI Punjab - One big win might do
Campaign so far
Mitchell Johnson's unavailability has been a blessing in disguise for the Mohali based side as Thisara Perera has adopted well as a genuine all-rounder.
Even though his medium pacers are always vulnerable at the death, the additional batting depth in lower order with Akshar Patel coming in at 8, all of a sudden make them look invincible. At least one member of the batting order has stood up for the challenge every time and there is no reason why it cannot continue.
With handy contributions from Parvinder Awana, Sandeep Sharma is not missed at all and mind you Lakshmipathy Balaji is only warming the bench.
Upcoming fixtures
v Northern Knights
The Kiwi side lost its charm all too quickly against Hobart Hurricanes the other day and it should be said that they lost their actual quarter-final fixture as the Kings can be too hot to handle.
True, they have Tim Southee and Trent Boult, but what can they do when someone like Virender Sehwag starts firing out of the blue? David Miller and Glenn Maxwell cannot be just kept quiet in middle overs where they lack penetration with Ish Sodhi not expected to pose threats in particular.
With the Blackcaps' traditional weakness against quality spin, Karanveer Singh and Akshar Patel might feast on the batting order in case Williamson goes early again. Scott Styris cannot be expected to act as the savior every now and then.
v Cape Cobras
Justin Ontong's men have a significant role, that to play spoilers to Barbados Tridents in Mohali as they do not have a realistic chance of making it to the top 2 after consecutive losses.
Unless or otherwise more than just one match go the opposite way, the fixture will only be of any importance for only one of the two sides with Punjab fighting for the first place of Group B.
Current situation: Played 2, Won 2, Points: 8 (2nd of Group B)
Predicted finish: Top of Group B with 16 points
2. Hobart Hurricanes - Must win against Tridents
Campaign so far
With Aiden Blizzard in blazing form, Shoaib Malik and captain Tim Paine returning to their own, the batting look solid. The pace trio of Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ben Laughlin can run though any batting order and they proved it again in the last two matches.
Upcoming fixtures
v Barbados Tridents
The match is practically a quarter-final for the Aussie side as they cannot be laid back with both Tridents and Knights have opportunity to end up inside the top 2.
However, the depleted Caribbean side can easily be neutralized by the settled bowling combination that is boosted by Xavier Doherty's left-arm spin.
Current situation: Played 3, Won 2, Points: 8 (At top of Group B)
Predicted finish: Second place of Group B with 12 points
Run Rate
The situation can be troublesome had Knights better Kings XI and Tridents win against Cobras. That will leave Hobart's fate on their own hands: to fight for qualification against Tridents. Even if Tridents lose that match, they can still be in contention for a knockout berth if Cobras exhibit their A game against Kings XI - which cannot be ruled out either.
Having said all that, Friday's double header will give us a clear picture of the story that will unfold further in Group B.
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