Do-or-die encounter for KXIP, CSK look to play party poopers

With the competition heading towards the business end, the race to the playoffs seems to be heating up. As many as six teams are still in contention to secure their place in the playoffs, but very few have the destiny in their own hands. 

Kings XI Punjab face Chennai Super Kings in a do-or-die encounter at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It's been a season of contrasting halves for both the teams. Punjab, who started the campaign on a horrendous note, fought back considerably well registering five consecutive wins. CSK, on the other hand, hit a roadblock in the middle phase of the tournament. The impact was such that they could never recover. 

Punjab's destiny hangs on a thin thread now. The 7-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals last night put the team's playoff hopes in jeopardy. They will now need to win the last fixture and also depend on a host of other results. The onus rests on the shoulders of KL Rahul. The 28-year-old has consistently mustered runs for the team. Come Sunday, the team will want more than that from the skipper. Chris Gayle, who fell one short of his century against RR, will look to carry forward the same form going into this game. Kings XI have themselves to blame if they fail to make it to the last phase of the competition. They have fluffed their lines on most occasions in what seemed to have been a cakewalk of run-chases. The bowling, however, remains a concern. Except for Ravi Bishnoi and Mohammed Shami, most of them have struggled to get their elements right. 

Qualification scenario: 

• KXIP will only stand a chance if they manage to beat Chennai Super Kings by a significant margin. 
• There is also a situation where they may fail to qualify even if they win their last fixture. 
• They will be eliminated if SRH emerges victorious against MI and KKR/RR win with a massive margin. 

The Chennai Super Kings, who are out of the reckoning for a playoff spot, will look to play for pride. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sam Curran have served as the silver lining amidst a disappointing campaign. Having scored two consecutive half-centuries , the Maharashtra-born batsman has successfully staked his claim. The likes of Shane Watson, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis and MS Dhoni have been inept with the bat throughout the whole season. Noting that the players haven't quite performed as supposed to, MS Dhoni, said: "This year hasn't been our year. In only one or two games this year we have batted and bowled well together." - He was quoted as saying during a post-match presentation. 

KXIP will be vying for the playoff spot, while MS Dhoni-led CSK may just play the party poopers.