The Kings XI Punjab, who need to win all of their remaining matches if they are to make the semi-finals next week, have a virtual mountain to climb in Bloemfontein, on Friday as they take on the league leaders in the form of the unstoppable Delhi Daredevils.
Mathematically, it may be possible for them to put in a late charge for the final top spots should they lose, but captain Yuvraj Singh is under no illusions as to what is needed after his team were comprehensively beaten by the Mumbai Indians on Wednesday night.
"We simply did not bat properly except for Sunny Sohal," said Yuvraj. "We did not have enough runs on the board. We have got to win all our games now. We have plenty of areas to work on starting with our batting, then our bowling and our fielding. We seem to put down catches at vital times and do no hit the right areas when we bowl."
They will need Yusuf Abdulla, the South African who was such a big hit at the beginning of the tournament, to turn in a stellar bowling performance if they are to send the Delhi Daredevils to what would be just their third defeat of the season.
The Delhi Daredevils boast of an impressive batting line-up, as was discovered by a hapless Chaminda Vaas of the Deccan Chargers on Thursday night. Vaas was smashed all around the park for 23 in his last over by Dinesh Karthik, and the Deccan Chargers will also attest that the Delhi Daredevils have potent bowlers in Dirk Nannes, Ashish Nehra, Amit Mishra and all-rounder Rajat Bhatia.
The Deccan Chargers lost seven wickets for 12 runs in just 17 balls as the Delhi Daredevils snatched victory in a close finish. Medium pacer Bhatia destroyed the lower order with impressive figures of four for 15.
With 16 points from ten matches, another victory for Delhi could see them become the first team to seal their spot in the semi-finals.
