Guwahati: Rajasthan Royals’ hopes for a strong finish in the IPL were dashed as their final league match against table-topping Kolkata Knight Riders ended in a washout on Sunday, relegating them to third place behind Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Kolkata Knight Riders concluded their league campaign with 20 points from nine wins and two points from washouts. Sunrisers Hyderabad (17 points) edged out Rajasthan Royals (17 points) based on a superior Net Run Rate (NRR). SRH finished with an NRR of 0.414 compared to RR’s 0.273.
In the upcoming IPL playoffs, Kolkata Knight Riders will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first Qualifier in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, while Rajasthan Royals will meet Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ‘Eliminator’ at the same venue.
Rajasthan Royals’ campaign faltered in the latter half despite a strong start, winning eight out of their first nine games. Their momentum waned with four consecutive losses, compounded by the absence of key player Jos Buttler for crucial matches, making their encounter with a formidable Royal Challengers Bangalore a daunting prospect.
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad showcased their prowess with power-hitting and strategic use of ‘Impact Sub’ players, securing a vital victory by chasing down 215 runs against Punjab Kings with five balls to spare. This win also boosted their NRR significantly at a critical juncture.
