IPL 2015: Chennai Super Kings look to seal the top spot

MOHALI: Rarely, if ever, has the IPL been fought so closely as it has been in this edition. Barely a couple of points separate the top six teams. Going into the final round of matches over the weekend, not even the leaders Chennai Super Kings are certain about their spot in the table. Thus, it is imperative for them to win their last league match on Saturday afternoon against bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab, who ironically were the finalists last season.
There's no way CSK can take the hosts lightly, especially after the way the latter had stunned Royal Challengers Bangalore here in a rain-truncated match on Wednesday.
As the home team has nothing to lose, lowering guard could prove disastrous for CSK. Besides, there is a big incentive in store for CSK. A win will assure them a top finish and ensure them a spot in the Qualifiers rather than the sudden-death of the Eliminator which is reserved for the third and fourth placed teams.
"Our aim is to win the last league match and top the table. That way we will qualify for the Qualifiers. A win in Qualifier 1 will take us directly into the final and in case we lose, we will get another opportunity against the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2. For that our team has to produce its 'A' game and the team is capable of doing that even in the absence of McCullum," coach Stephen Fleming said.