IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra predicts four teams that can reach the playoffs

Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has predicted four teams that can reach the playoff stages of the ongoing IPL 2021.

The renowned commentator has picked Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, and Royal Challengers Bangalore as his first three choices. Delhi and Chennai look all set to go to the last four whereas RCB still has some work to do.

For the fourth team, Chopra feels it is going to be a toss-up between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders but chose the latter as the former isn’t in the best of forms though they won their previous match against Punjab Kings.

Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings have secured eight wins each whereas RCB has won seven matches in the ongoing season while Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders have five wins each but the latter has a better Net Run Rate and thus they are currently placed in the fourth position in the points table.

Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Chopra said, “Chennai, Delhi there’s no doubt about that. Third, hopefully, Bangalore will qualify. For the fourth, there’s going to be a fight between Mumbai and Kolkata. I have a strong feeling that if Kolkata doesn’t hit a self-goal, they’ll make it. If Russell is fit then there will be no self-goal but it can happen here because the captain is in zero form. However, it’s Eoin Morgan, a big player, so it’s also possible that he might turn around his form and give a strong finish.”

Chopra explained his reason of picking KKR as he stated that MI doesn’t look like the paltan of the old. MI has failed to get going as their middle-order hasn’t delivered the goods. On the other hand, KKR has won three out of their four matches of the second phase of IPL 2021.

“I am tilting towards Kolkata for a simple reason that Mumbai isn’t looking like the ‘Paltan’ of the old. Yeah, you won against Punjab but even that wasn’t convincing. They are winning all games scrappingly, which isn’t like them.

They still have one game to go against Delhi which is the next game only in Sharjah. If you lose this, you won’t have luck on your side because Kolkata’s all matches are against teams placed below them. Kolkata has got something going for them, for Mumbai, there’s something not going for them.”

While CSK, DC, and RCB look set to qualify for the playoff stages, it will be interesting to note which will be the fourth team.