LPL qualification/playoff scenarios explained

Only four round-robin stage matches are left in the Lanka Premier League 2021 with three teams already qualifying for the play-off stage. However, the two remaining double-headers on the 16th and 17th of December at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium will be vital for several teams.
With the introduction of the play-off stage from this season, the top two ranked teams at the end of the round-robin stage will have a second opportunity of booking their place in the final even if they lose Qualifier 1. Therefore, all teams will prefer finishing in the top two rather than having to play in the Eliminator by finishing as No.3 and No.4.

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LPL 2021 remaining round-robin fixtures

Colombo Stars vs Jaffna Kings – 16th December – 3.00pm
Dambulla Giants vs Kandy Warriors – 16th December – 7.30pm

Galle Gladiators vs Jaffna Kings – 17th December – 3.00pm
Colombo Stars vs Kandy Warriors – 17th December – 7.30pm

Qualification Scenarios

Jaffna Kings

Jaffna Kings led by Thisara Perera became the first team to qualify for the play-off stage and have already secured their place in the top two. Therefore, the results of their remaining two fixtures against Colombo Stars and Galle Gladiators will not impact their pole position in the points table.

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Galle Gladiators

Galle Gladiators have already qualified for the play-off stage. But, they will be keen on finishing in the top two. Even though they are currently sitting in the number two position, both Dambulla Giants and Colombo Stars can overtake Galle Gladiators.

If Dambulla Giants beat Kandy Warriors with a big margin on the 16th and improve their Net Run Rate (NRR), Galle Gladiators will need to record a massive win against Jaffna Kings on the 17th. However, if Colombo Stars win both their remaining games, then they will end up playing Jaffna Kings in Qualifier 1.

Dambulla Giants

Dasun Shanaka led Dambulla Giants have already qualified for the play-off stage. However, they will have a slight disadvantage in their quest of playing in Qualifier 1 because they will not be playing on the final day of the round-robin stage. Therefore, they will first need to beat Kandy Warriors and then wait for the other results to go their way in order to finish in the top two.

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Colombo Stars

Colombo Stars, currently in the fourth position in the points table, have two more matches remaining. Also, they have not yet secured their path to the play-off stage. If they win both their remaining matches, Colombo Stars can finish in the top two. If they win one game, they will qualify for the play-off stage.

However, if Colombo Stars win only one game, they will want Dambulla Giants and Galle Gladiators to lose their remaining matches to end in the top two. If Colombo Stars lose both their remaining matches and if Kandy Warriors win their two final matches, then Colombo Stars may get knocked out due to NRR.

Kandy Warriors

Despite winning only one game from their six matches, Kandy Warriors are still in with a chance of making the play-offs. However, their fate is not in their hands. They will have to beat both their remaining opponents, Dambulla Giants and Colombo Stars. Also, they will want Colombo Stars to lose their other fixture as well.

If Colombo Stars win against Jaffna Kings on the 16th afternoon or the match gets abandoned due to bad weather, then Kandy Warriors will be knocked out of the competition with two games remaining. Even if Kandy Warriors does qualify, they will have no chance of playing in Qualifier 1. They can only finish on 4th or 5th positions in the final points table.

LPL 2021 Points Table before the matches on the 16th and 17th December

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