Kabaddi
Pro Kabaddi Playoffs Qualification - Qualified Teams, Teams Knocked Out, Which teams can qualify?
While three teams have already qualified, four have been knocked out.
The PKL trophy (Source: Pro Kabaddi League)
The Pro Kabaddi League season 8 has entered its business end rather quickly. With just six league stage matches left, the playoff spots are more or less sealed. While four teams are already out of the race, three have already qualified.
Five out of the ten teams are still in contention for the remaining three spots. Which team will miss out?
| Qualified Teams | Still in Contention | Knocked Out |
| Patna Pirates | Haryana Steelers | Telugu Titans |
| Dabang Delhi | Bengaluru Bulls | Tamil Thalaivas |
| UP Yoddha | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Bengal Warriors |
|
| Puneri Paltan | U Mumba |
|
| Gujarat Giants |
|
Here, we take a look at the qualification scenarios for each team in PKL 2021.
Bengal Warriors
With just 52 matches accumulated in 21 matches so far, the Bengal Warriors are already out of the playoffs race. Even a win in their last league match would take them to 57 points, which will certainly be not enough to see the defending champions through to the final six.
Matches Remaining
Match 127 – Puneri Paltan v/s Bengal Warriors
Bengaluru Bulls
The Bengaluru Bulls were one of the most dominant teams in the first half of PKL 2021, but a very inconsistent show towards the latter part leaves their fortunes hanging by a thread. With just one league stage match left, the equation is not so simple for the Bulls.
They did win their final league match against the Haryana Steelers, but their hopes now rest on the Puneri Paltan losing atleast one of their remaining two matches and both either of Steelers and Jaipur Pink Panthers losing their final fixtures.
Matches Remaining
None
Dabang Delhi
The Dabang Delhi have qualified to the playoffs and ensured a direct semifinal entry by assuring themselves of a second-placed finish. They still have a game in hand against the wooden spoon holders Telugu Titans.
Matches Remaining
Match 128 – Telugu Titans v/s Dabang Delhi
Gujarat Giants
The Gujarat Giants have made a late dash into the playoffs race, but continue to lag at number eight in the table. They would not only want to win both their remaining contests to make it but would need either of Haryana Steelers or Jaipur Pink Panthers to lose their final match and also hope that Puneri Paltan does not win both their remaining games.
Matches Remaining
Match 129 – Tamil Thalaivas v/s Gujarat Giants
Match 131 – Gujarat Giants v/s U Mumba
Haryana Steelers
The Haryana Steelers were well placed to make it into the playoffs. But, a loss to the Bengaluru Bulls in their 21st match of the season has left them vulnerable. They need to win their final contest against the Patna Pirates at any cost to ensure a safe passage to the final six, or else they will have to rely on multiple results going their way.
Matches Remaining
Match 132 – Patna Pirates v/s Haryana Steelers
Jaipur Pink Panthers
The Jaipur Pink Panthers are currently placed fifth in the points table with 62 points in 21 games. The equation for them is pretty simple – win their final league stage match and go through to the playoffs. But, a loss or even a tie would leave them staring at an exit after 22 matches.
Matches Remaining
Match 130 – Jaipur Pink Panthers v/s Puneri Paltan
Patna Pirates
The Patna Pirates have been the most consistent team of PKL 2021 and they have reaped the rewards for the same. Not only are the three-time champions the first team to qualify for the playoffs, but they have already ensured no team can dethrone them from the pole position in the points table – all this with one match still left to play.
Matches Remaining
Match 132 – Patna Pirates v/s Haryana Steelers
Puneri Paltan
The Puneri Paltan had one of the worst starts a team could have in the season along with the Telugu Titans. But, they have managed to rise above everything with a brilliant displays from PKL debutants – Aslam Inamdar, Mohit Goyat and Abinesh Nadarajan under the guidance of Nitin Tomar.
They have two matches left and the equation is simple – Win both and make it through.
Matches Remaining
Match 127 – Puneri Paltan v/s Bengal Warriors
Match 130 – Jaipur Pink Panthers v/s Puneri Paltan
Tamil Thalaivas
The Tamil Thalaivas are already out of the PKL 2021. A total of 6 ties in the 21 games they have played so far, proved to be their worst enemy as they lag at the penultimate spot in the table. They have also lost all of their last five fixtures and the best they can hope for is a tenth placed finish, provided the Warriors lose their final game and they win.
Matches Remaining
Match 129 – Tamil Thalaivas v/s Gujarat Giants
Telugu Titans
The Telugu Titans were the first team to exit PKL 2021. Nothing worked for them this season and they just have one win to show for in 21 matches. Injuries to Siddharth Desai and Rohit Kumar there was no one to guide the team on the mat as they surrendered a lot of close encounters. They are destined to end this season with the wooden spoon and nothing can change this.
Matches Remaining
Match 128 – Telugu Titans v/s Dabang Delhi
U Mumba
The U Mumba led by Fazel Atrachali have had a mix run in PKL 2021 and have become the fourth team to be knocked out. They were sublime in some matches, while being downright atrocious in other. The failure of the Iranian Sultan on an individual capacity means that the Mumboys will be missing in action during the playoffs.
Matches Remaining
Match 131 – Gujarat Giants v/s U Mumba
UP Yoddha
The UP Yoddha became the second team to qualify for the playoffs, when they breezed past U Mumba in their final league game. But, they miss out on a top-two finish by just two points and will have to grind it through the Eliminators.
Matches Remaining
None
