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Rajasthan Royals (RR) registered a four-wicket win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) to exit the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) and move up to the fifth spot in the points table. Despite the win and 14 points, RR may find it difficult to qualify for the playoffs as there are two more teams with the same number of points including Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). MI and RCB have one game each left in the league stage and if either of them win, it will be the end of the IPL 2023 campaign for the Sanju Samson-led side.
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However, RR showed all-round cricket to outclass PBKS on Friday night. Punjab was on the mat from the start. Liam Livingstone (49), Jitesh Sharma (44) and Shah Rukh Khan (41) propelled PBKS to 187 for 5 in 20 overs. But RR followed up well, thanks to another half-century by Yashasvi Jaiswal and a match-winning innings from Devdutt Padikkal. Shimron Hetmyer and Dhruv Jurel also starred in the group stage as RR.
@rajasthanroyals Survive the season courtesy of a remarkable chase _#rr Won by 4 wickets in Dharamshala
scorecard __ #TATAIPL , #PBKSVRR pic.twitter.com/rXvH1o0uf1– Indian Premier League (@IPL) May 19, 2023
ipl 2023 updated points table
The tournament is coming to an end, yet we don’t have our definitive playoff candidates. The fight is very close. So far, only Gujarat Titans (GT) have qualified for the playoffs, while three teams – Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad and PBKS – have been eliminated. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), at number two, can qualify with a win over DC on Saturday. LSG would also like a win against KKR to make it through but there is a possibility that rain in Kolkata on Saturday night could wash out the contest. In that case, LSG would still be in the hunt but KKR would be ousted.
Fourth-placed RCB will have to beat GT in their last group stage and then hope that sixth-placed MI lose to SRH in their final group game. The table is really tight with only four matches left in the league stage.
Orange and Purple Cap leaders
Faf du Plessis continues to lead the Orange Cap race with 702 runs in 13 matches. Yashasvi Jaiswal hit a half-century vs PBKS to boost his tally and finish second in the cap race with 625 runs from 14 matches. In the Purple Cap race, Mohammed Shami is leading the race with 23 wickets. Rashid Khan also has the same number while Yuzvendra Chahal is on 21 wickets.
