Lucknow: Last year’s runners-up Punjab Kings (200/3 in 18 overs) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (196/6) by seven wickets on Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive. Punjab’s victory also eliminated Delhi from the race for the fourth and final playoff spot.
Punjab and Kolkata are still in contention, but if Rajasthan defeat Mumbai in the match starting at 3.30 pm at Wankhede today, Punjab, Kolkata and Delhi will all be knocked out and Rajasthan will enter the playoffs as the fourth team.
Bengaluru, Gujarat and Hyderabad have already qualified for the playoffs. Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow have been eliminated from the tournament.
Shreyas’ maiden IPL century powers Punjab
Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer (101 not out off 51 balls, five sixes, eleven fours) played the defining innings of the match. He scored his maiden IPL century at the perfect time to keep Punjab alive in the playoff race.
How can Kolkata still qualify?
Punjab ended a six-match losing streak to stay alive in the race for fourth place. If Rajasthan beat Mumbai today, Punjab, Kolkata and Delhi will all be officially eliminated.
However, if Rajasthan lose, the qualification battle will intensify and net run rate will become crucial. In that situation, Kolkata will have to beat Delhi by a huge margin tonight. If Kolkata bat first and score 200, they must defeat Delhi by at least 77 runs. If Delhi score 180 batting first, Kolkata will need to chase 181 within approximately 12.4 overs.
Each team plays 14 league matches in the IPL.
Prabhsimran and Shreyas add 140 for third wicket
Apart from Shreyas, opener Prabhsimran Singh also made an important contribution with 69 runs off 39 balls, including two sixes and seven fours. The pair added a match-winning 140 runs for the third wicket.
Arjun strikes with yorker on debut
Left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar (4-0-36-1) claimed the key wicket of Prabhsimran, trapping him lbw with a yorker.
Son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun made his debut for Lucknow this season. He had an unfortunate start when Rishabh Pant dropped Prabhsimran in his very first over, though only four runs came from it. Shreyas and Prabhsimran attacked him in his second over, which went for 15 runs. Mohammad Shami took two wickets for Lucknow, while Arjun claimed one.
Inglis scores 72 in Lucknow’s 196
Earlier, Lucknow posted 196 for six in 20 overs. Opener Josh Inglis top-scored with 72 runs, while Ayush Badoni contributed 43.
Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 37 off 20 balls with three sixes and three fours. Debutant Arjun Tendulkar stayed not out on five from five balls.
In the final over bowled by Arshdeep Singh, Samad twice sent Arjun back while refusing singles to retain strike. Samad then smashed a six and two fours as 17 runs came from the over.
Today’s final two league matches
Mumbai vs Rajasthan — Wankhede Stadium, 3.30 pm
Kolkata vs Delhi — Eden Gardens, 7.30 pm
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