Monty Panesar Picture Credit: Twitter
Former England cricketer Monty Panesar on Monday stated that the fight for the play-offs in IPL is always nail-biting and most of the teams can still make it to the play-offs in the current edition of IPL 2021. He added that as Sunrisers Hyderabad have four matches left, they can decide which teams will go further in the tournament. On Monday evening, Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Rajasthan Royals and damaged their chances of going into the top 4.
Mathematically, the orange army is also in the contention to go further but it looks too bleak for them. Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings look set to qualify for playoffs as they have 16 points in 10 games each, while Royal Challengers Bangalore have some work to do as they have 12 points from 10 games. Whereas, the biggest tug of war will be between Kolkata Knight Riders, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians, as all of them have 8 points from 10 games currently.
If Hyderabad take down top teams, it will open up the table even more: Panesar
On SportsTiger’s Post-match Live session, former English spin wizard Monty Panesar stated that the matches Sunrisers Hyderabad play will be crucial. “Well it’s interesting one, (on who will qualify for play-offs) it really depends on Hyderabad when they play against some of the top teams. If they take them down, like they have done (on Monday) then it just opens up the table even more,” Panesar said on SportsTiger.
Panesar added that there is probably a fight for one spot between four teams and RCB shall be disappointed if they fail to qualify. “Punjab Kings won the last game by 5 runs (and) that is a team that has a lot of potential…and you think that they should get into the top four, Kolkata is another one. Bangalore should be disappointed if Bangalore doesn’t make it. So effectively (its) one spot in four teams, Mumbai Indians is another one,” Panesar said.
IPL is best in the world as there is so much competition: Panesar
Monty Panesar also stated that as there is so much competition between the teams, the IPL is the best league in the world. While asserting that all the teams still have chance to make it to the play-offs, Panesar commented, “I guess that’s why this league is amazing, that’s why this league is best in the world because it’s opened up everything and its gonna (going to) be exciting next few games, a lot people will be watching with great enthusiasm,” Panesar said.
On September 28, there are some crucial matches in the double header where Kolkata Knight Riders will face Delhi Capitals in afternoon, while Mumbai Indians take on Punjab Kings in the evening match.