Sandeep Sarkar, Kolkata: It was half past five in the afternoon on Friday. The sun’s rays are still visible. Calcutta Knight Riders coach Abhishek Nair came out from the dressing room of the home team at Eden Gardens. A paper in hand. Fellow team mentor Dwayne Bravo. Where the KKR nets were hung, there was a brief discussion by standing by him. Captain Ajinkya Rahane and co-captain Rinku Singh joined there in no time.

What was discussed?

After KKR’s practice ended, it was found out in the camp that there was a discussion about the point table. Playoff figures have been discussed. But most of the emphasis is on beating Delhi Capitals with a bang on Sunday.

However, when Rahane goes to toss with Akshar Patel at 7pm on Sunday, it will be fairly clear whether the playoff equation is at all on KKR’s match. Before that, the puzzle of the playoffs can be solved.

How?

It was heard that KKR’s think tank has been working on it for a while. As things stand in the points table now, there are four teams fighting for a spot in the playoff race. Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Delhi’s run is over. Because Delhi might be in the running if they win the penultimate match, but they are so far behind in run-rate that Akshar-K L Rahul’s play-offs and snowfall in Kolkata in the last week of May are equally unrealistic.

KKR’s future depends on the remaining three matches. One, their own match against Delhi Capitals on Sunday. A must-win match for the Knights. The bigger the winning margin, the better.

KKR also look ahead to Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings on Saturday and Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals on Sunday afternoon. If Lucknow and Mumbai win, and KKR win their last match, the Knights will go to the playoffs. But if Punjab defeats Lucknow after losing 6 consecutive matches! Shreyas IyerTheir points will be 15. If KKR wins the last match, they will also have 15 points. However, Punjab is ahead in net run rate. So the pressure will increase on KKR.

And if Rajasthan defeats Mumbai. In that case, Punjab and KKR, both teams will be off together. Because, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will reach 16 points.

Besides swearing to win their matches KKR That is why Punjab and Rajasthan are also praying for defeat.