CCL 2024: As week 3 kicks off with Bengal Tigers vs Punjab De Sher, who will make it to the qualifiers?

Although four teams enjoy the top 4-point table positions, only 1, the Karnataka Bulldozers are a direct shoo-in for the qualifiers.

Powered by Darling Krishna's magnificent knocks, the Bulldozers have already sealed a spot in the qualifiers

The 10th Season of the Celebrity Cricket League is all set for all the cricket action of its third week. Between March 8 and 10, 5 more matches will be played, at the end of which, all 8 teams would have played 4 group stage matches each and the top 4 in terms of points and net run rate will progress to the next level.

Except the Bengal Tigers and Punjab De Shers, every other team has played three matches each and only the Karnataka Bulldozers have won all three and secured a spot in the qualifiers. The rest are still up for grabs, even though the Chennai Rhinos, Telugu Warriors and Mumbai Heroes make up the rest of the top 4 now.

The Bengal Tigers are best poised for a chance at the qualifiers. They’ve played 2 matches and lost only 1 and are currently behind the Kerala Strikers in terms of run rate. On Friday (March 8), they play Punjab De Sher, which has already lost both its matches. Should the Tigers beat them and the Bhojpuri Dabanggs, a team that has lost all three matches so far, then, Jisshu Senguptha’s team will have 6 points.

The Strikers have only 1 match left against the Chennai Rhinos and if they produce another stunner like they did against the Telugu Warriors, it could knock Arya’s team out of reckoning for the qualifiers. The Strikers are currently at fifth position on the points table, which they may retain as they exit the tournament this week.

Defending champions Telugu Warriors will have a chip on their shoulders when they head into their match against the Bulldozers and will not want a repeat of their last match against the Strikers, which ended in shocking defeat for them. On their part, the Bulldozers will probably look at extending their unbeaten record in the tournament so far, and their encounter looks set to be a tough one.

That leaves the Mumbai Heroes, whose only remaining match is against Punjab De Sher. Sonu Sood’s boys can make the opposition sweat, but do they have it in them to defeat the Mumbai Heroes? Right now, the Heroes may just be the second team to ensure a spot in the qualifiers.

CCL organizers have been rooting for a team from the north to win the tournament this time and the Bengal Tigers seem the ones with the best chance. And this weekend will give us a clearer picture.

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