- April 27, 2025
If you’re a Punjab Kings fan, then you’ve probably had your share of heartbreaks, nail-biters, and rain-affected matches. The abandoned match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday was a predictable turn in the already rollercoaster ride of PBKS in the IPL. But all is not lost! Things are heating up on the points table, and the playoffs race is almost as tight as it ever has been, so let’s go through what PBKS needs to do to break the playoff curse once and for all.
The Current Situation: PBKS Are Still Very Much Alive!
First of all, that abandoned match was hardly the end of the world. Punjab Kings got back one crucial point, and they are relatively in a nice position on the points table – 5 wins, 3 losses, and 1 no result from 9. A guaranteed 11 points.
History tends to tell us that 16 points should usually guarantee qualification for the playoff stage of the IPL. If they can win three out of their next five matches, they will essentially be a safety net on 17 points, which is certainly more than enough for them to end their 11-year wait for playoff qualification.
Yes, winning three out of five must seem easy on paper. But against the likes of Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and a still dangerous RCB, nothing comes easy. For Punjab Kings, every game from here is almost like a mini-final, and the boys in red and gold are going to have to be at their best.
Why Finishing in the Top 2 Would Be a Dream Come True?
Why Finishing in the Top 2 Would Be a Dream Come true
Now, if PBKS want to dream big – and we mean BIG, BIG – the top 2 finish is still technically available.
To almost definitely get into the Top 2 (who then get 2 attempts at making the final), 20 points is usually the magic number. This means winning all the remaining 5 games, finishing with a mind-blowing 21 points, and possibly topping the table.
Is that ambitious? Yes. But crazier things have happened in the IPL. With Prabhsimran Singh in explosive form at the top, Priyansh Arya struggling to clear the boundary but having a ball at the crease, and the bowling unit of PBKS finding their fire again – the stars are aligned. Now it must be about translating into form week on week.
The Top 2 is not purely a matter of prestige, with historical data suggesting that a team that finishes in 1st or 2nd has a much better chance of making the finals, due to 2 shots at it. With PBKS’s underdog history in this format, that is a big advantage for them.
The Road Ahead: Match-by-Match Must-Win Mentality
Let’s face it: Punjab Kings can’t realistically try to look too far ahead. It’s about one match at a time, and the first major contest is the battle with Chennai Super Kings on April 30.
Not only do they need to win, but they should also be considering the net run rate (NRR) as well if the points table tightens up. PBKS needs to continue to win big as opposed to doing it the hard way with a dramatic finish (even if that’s way more entertaining on TV).
So, consistency, focus, and maybe a bit of that crazy PBKS magic is the way forward.
The rain has delayed the dream pretty much, and thankfully, did not destroy it. The question is, can PBKS finally break the barrier and roar into the playoffs, or will it be yet another “almost” year? Time and some big wins will certainly tell!
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