Chennai Super Kings' victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad, following Rajasthan Royals' win against the same opponents a couple of days back has thrown the entire play-off race wide open with four teams now vying for the fourth spot.
The race for the top four spots in IPL 2020 has intensified with Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings winning their respective games against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With Kolkata Knight Riders’ net run-rate taking a massive hit due to the big loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the fight for the fourth spot will be fought between four teams. Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals are all in the fray for a place in the top four and the next couple of games will be crucial.
Chennai Super Kings’ win against Sunrisers Hyderabad has got them back on track but they still have a poor net run-rate as compared to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kolkata Knight Riders (NRR -0.577) are the most vulnerable as their net run-rate is the second-worst in the table with Rajasthan Royals (NRR -0.872) being on top.
Kings XI Punjab’s aspirations for the top four spot will be technically over if they lose to Royal Challengers Bangalore in their clash on October 15. A loss for KL Rahul’s team will mean that even if they win their remaining six games, they can only get to 14 points. For them to qualify on 14 points, they will have to rely on plenty of mathematical permutations and combinations.
| Teams |
Matches played |
Won |
Lost |
Points |
| Mumbai Indians |
7 |
5 |
2 |
10 |
| Delhi Capitals |
7 |
5 |
2 |
10 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore |
7 |
5 |
2 |
10 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders |
7 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad |
8 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
| Chennai Super Kings |
8 |
3 |
5 |
6 |
| Rajasthan Royals |
7 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
| Kings XI Punjab |
7 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
Purple and Orange Cap holders
There is basically no Purple Cap (top three) change in the Orange Cap race with KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal and Faf du Plessis still occupying the top three spots. However, Jasprit Bumrah and his Mumbai Indians’ counterpart Trent Boult are level on the number of wickets while Rashid Khan of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Yuzvendra Chahal of Royal Challengers Bangalore are now firmly in the mix with 10 wickets. However, Kagiso Rabada is still at the top of the mountain and it will take a supreme effort from the other bowlers to topple the South Africa pacer.
Orange Cap (top three)
KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab): M – 7 R – 387, Average – 64.5, Strike-rate – 134.84
Mayank Agarwal (Kings XI Punjab): M – 7, R – 337, Average: 48.14, Strike-rate – 158.96
Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings): M – 8, R – 307, Average – 51.1, Strike-rate – 146.9
Purple cap (top three)
Kagiso Rabada (Delhi Capitals): M – 7, Wickets – 17, Average – 12.53
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians): M – 7, Wickets – 11, Average – 20.18
Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians): M – 7, Wickets – 11, Average – 19.91
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "CSK vs SRH IPL 2020 Dubai")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}