CCL 2024: All south teams head to Thiruvanthapuram for final group stage matches

On March 10, when the four south teams take the field in Thiruvananthapuram for the last two group stage matches, the final line-up of the top four teams heading into the qualifiers will be revealed. At the moment, the Karnataka Bulldozers with three wins to their credit and one more match to go have booked a berth in the play-offs, but the competition for the other three slots is still wide open, with contenders like Bengal Tigers, Mumbai Heroes, Telugu Warriors, Chennai Rhinos and, maybe even the Kerala Strikers.

With losses in all of their group matches, the Bhojpuri Dabanggs and Punjab De Sher are out of the tournament. The Bengal Tigers and Mumbai Heroes have also played all four matches and having won 2 and lost 2, they are tied in points, but make up No.2 and No.3 on the points table based on the net run rate. Of course, all of this is subject to change based on the results of the matches on Sunday, March 10.

The match line-up tomorrow has the defending champions Telugu Warriors taking on the Karnataka Bulldozers at 2 pm. The second match is between the Chennai Rhinos and the home team Kerala Strikers at 6.30 pm. The Bulldozers have been in incredible form this season, as also the Warriors, but for that one match against the Strikers, which they lost for a whisker.

The Strikers are currently placed at sixth position, so even a win may not make them eligible for the play-offs. It could, however, give the Warriors a shot at making the top 4. Akhil Akkineni’s team is currently at fifth position, which does not qualify them to the next round. It is imperative that they win against the Bulldozers, or ensure the margin of defeat is not big.

Next week, when the tournament resumes for the qualifiers and finale, the matches will be held in Thiruvananthapuram yet again. They had earlier been announced to be in Vishakapatnam, but a few days ago, there was a last-minute change, with no reason specified. Tickets for the matches are available to be bought on TicketGenie. The live telecast of the matches is on JioCinema, Doordarshan, Sony Ten 5 and a few Star Network regional channels.