Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday strengthened their bid for an IPL playoff berth with a convincing win over Rajasthan Royals (RR). Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad's unbeaten 42 and a stellar performance by bowler Simarjeet Singh, who claimed three wickets, contributed significantly to CSK's success. By restricting Rajasthan to 141-5, CSK easily chased down the target with five wickets and 10 balls to spare. This victory propelled CSK to 14 points, securing third place with seven wins in 13 matches. Consequently, Sunrisers Hyderabad slipped to fourth place, also with 14 points. CSK has a net run rate of 0.528 vs 0.406 of SRH.
Lok Sabha Voting Phase 4: All the latest news
In the IPL's current standings, Rajasthan Royals remain in second place behind Kolkata Knight Riders, who have already secured a playoff berth. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will advance to the playoffs, culminating in the final on May 26, to be held in Chennai.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) bolstered their playoff aspirations with a resounding 47-run victory over Delhi Capitals on Sunday. Rajat Patidar's aggressive half-century and a spirited bowling performance paved the way for Bengaluru's fifth consecutive win. Despite posting a challenging total of 187-9, Cameron Green's unbeaten 24-ball 32, and a collective effort from the bowlers, limited Delhi to 140 all out. This victory propelled Bengaluru to fifth place in the table. However, their playoff hopes hinge on securing victory in their final league match vs CSK and favorable results elsewhere to secure a top-four finish.