Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja feels that it is difficult for Punjab Kings (PBKS) to qualify for the playoffs of IPL 2021 as defeating all seven teams on the trot will not be an easy task for them.
Punjab Kings has had a below-par IPL 14 campaign so far. Having won only 3 matches out of their 8 games the Punjab-based franchise is placed sixth on the points table.
To worsen things more, skipper KL Rahul was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and is likely to miss few more games as he'll undergo surgery. In their latest encounter against Delhi Capitals (DC), Mayank Agarwal-led PBKS suffered a thumping 7-wicket defeat.
With five losses in eight matches, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja feels that PBKS is in a tough situation. He added that the points table gets shuffled drastically and if they start defeating teams above them they will be back in the race.
"Punjab are in a tough situation. They are lagging behind on the points table. They are just two positions down from the top four. But I have seen the table getting shuffled drastically. Because the bottom-placed teams are also left with their games.
“While Punjab is yet to face four out top five sides. So, once they start defeating the teams placed above them, they will be back in the race,” Ajay Jadeja said.
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Jadeja said that the knockouts have almost begun for Punjab Kings and defeating all seven teams on the trot will not be an easy task for them.
"Ultimately, the knockouts have almost begun for them. They are slated to face seven teams now and defeating all seven teams on the trot will not be an easy task. It’s not impossible but winning seven out of seven is not easy," he said.
Ajay Jadeja further said that though Mayank Agarwal can fill the batting avoid in absence of KL Rahul but will be a worrisome factor for PBKS to miss a regular skipper.
"The absence of KL Rahul and his class batting will be a worrisome factor. The batting void can be filled as Mayank Agarwal played a great knock. But it will be a loss from the captaincy point of view," he concluded.
Punjab Kings will next face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on 6th May at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
(Hindustan times inputs)
