Playoff race turns gripping for PBKS, KKR after Chennai’s elimination:GT almost certain to play Qualifier-1, Sooryavanshi loses Orange Cap

Gujarat Titans defeated Chennai Super Kings by 89 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. With this, Chennai has become the third team to be eliminated from the playoff race. They only managed 12 points from 6 wins in 14 matches. Meanwhile, Gujarat has secured playing the first playoff, i.e., Qualifier-1. Gujarat has accumulated 18 points from 14 matches. This confirms that Gujarat will not drop below the top-2. Today, Bengaluru will face Hyderabad. If Bengaluru wins, they will play Gujarat in Qualifier-1. If Hyderabad wins by a very large margin, they could enter the top-2 based on a better net run rate. In both situations, Gujarat’s position in the top-2 is confirmed. From here, two teams can’t have more points than Gujarat. Even if Hyderabad wins, three teams, Gujarat, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, will have 18 points each. In this situation, one of Bengaluru or Hyderabad will certainly have a lower net run rate than the other. Because in today’s match, one team’s net run rate will increase while the other’s will decrease. Current Standings of the Points Table Playoff scenario for all teams Bengaluru must avoid a heavy loss Royal Challengers Bengaluru remains in first place with 18 points and a net run rate of +1.065. The team has already reached the playoffs. The team will likely play against Gujarat in Qualifier-1. On the other hand, if Hyderabad win by 88 runs, they will reach the top, and Bengaluru will slip to third place. Also, if SRH bats second, they will have to chase a target of around 150 runs in approximately 11 overs. Punjab and Kolkata’s hopes still alive for the playoffs Punjab Kings (13 points) and Kolkata Knight Riders (13 points) are in fifth and sixth place. With Chennai out, the playoff race for these two teams has become even more interesting. Both teams will not only have to register wins in their last matches but also pray for the Rajasthan Royals’ defeat. If Rajasthan Royals win, they are certain to seal the 4th playoff spot Rajasthan is in fourth place with 14 points from 13 matches. The playoff equation for them is straightforward. They need to win their last league match on May 24. A win against the Mumbai Indians will directly qualify them for the playoffs. Delhi’s virtually knocked out of the tournament Delhi Capitals are in seventh place with 12 points from 13 matches. The team’s net run rate (-0.871) is quite poor. Delhi will have to hope for a big loss for Rajasthan and Punjab, along with a win against Kolkata. Chennai join pool of eliminated teams Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants are out of the playoff race. Chennai has played all its 14 matches. Mumbai and Lucknow have equal 8 points from 13 matches each. Mumbai is in ninth place in the points table, while Lucknow is at the bottom in 10th place. MI will play its last league match against Rajasthan on May 24, while Lucknow will play against Punjab on May 23. Top Players of the Tournament Sai Sudarshan surpasses Sooryavanshi to don Orange Cap Both openers from Gujarat have surpassed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Orange Cap list. Both have crossed the 600-run mark this season. Bhuvneshwar Kumar still has the Purple Cap due to better economy Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Bengaluru is leading the Purple Cap race with 24 wickets. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada of Gujarat Titans took 3 wickets in the match against Chennai. He is now in second place with 24 wickets in 14 matches. Anshul Kamboj of Chennai is in third place. Despite Rabada and Bhuvi having the same number of wickets, the RCB medium pacer has the Purple Cap because of better economy and fewer number of games played than Bhuvneshwar Kumar.