Punjab Kings face elimination vs LSG

Punjab Kings go into Saturday’s IPL league match against Lucknow Super Giants with no margin for error. ESPNcricinfo’s preview for Match 68 said Punjab must win on May 23 to keep their playoff chances alive, and that a defeat would end their campaign. Punjab begin the game fifth in the table on 13 points from 13 matches, while Lucknow are 10th on eight points from 13. (espncricinfo.com) The broader playoff race had already narrowed before first ball in Lucknow. (espncricinfo.com) The Times of India reported on May 23 that Royal Challengers Bengaluru had sealed top spot, and that Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals were competing for the final playoff berth. Sporting News separately reported that some other teams had already been eliminated, tightening the race around those remaining contenders. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) ### Why is this match effectively sudden death for Punjab Kings? ESPNcricinfo said the equation for Punjab was straightforward at the start of the day: lose, and they are out. The preview described Punjab’s playoff hopes as “hanging by a thread” and said even a win might not be enough because qualification would still depend on other results and net run rate. (espncricinfo.com) Punjab’s position reflects a late slide after what ESPNcricinfo called a bright start to the season. The live match page showed Punjab had lost their previous six matches, including defeats to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. ### What does Punjab’s table position look like before the game? (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Punjab Kings start the day with 13 points and a net run rate of 0.227, according to ESPNcricinfo’s live match page. That leaves them behind the teams already through and still exposed to rivals around them, with only one league game left to influence their total. The Times of India said the final available playoff place remained open with three matches left in the league stage. (espncricinfo.com) That meant Punjab were not only chasing two points in Lucknow, but also watching how the remaining contenders finished. ### Who else is in the race for the last playoff spot? Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals are the other teams still alive for the last berth, according to the Times of India. Sporting News also said Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans had already qualified, leaving one place unresolved. (espncricinfo.com) Those combinations are why Punjab do not control the outcome fully. ESPNcricinfo said a victory over Lucknow would only keep Punjab alive, not guarantee qualification, because other teams’ results and net run rate could still decide the final order. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) ### What does Lucknow Super Giants have left to play for? Lucknow Super Giants enter the match in 10th place with eight points from 13 matches, according to ESPNcricinfo’s live page. Their own playoff hopes are gone, but the game still gives them a direct role in deciding whether Punjab remain alive. The same ESPNcricinfo page lists Lucknow’s recent form as mixed, with wins over Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in May. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) Punjab, by contrast, come in on a six-match losing run. ### What comes next after this match? Match 68 is scheduled for May 23 at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, ESPNcricinfo said. The playoff picture after that will depend on Punjab’s result, the remaining league matches involving the other contenders, and the final net run rate calculations. (espncricinfo.com 1) (espncricinfo.com 2)