IPL 2024 - LSG's loss sees RR qualify for Playoffs; fans wait for RCB vs CSK epic showdown
Rajasthan Royals (RR) have secured a place in the Top 4, following Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
RCB vs CSK epic showdown
Match 64 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 favoured the host Delhi Capitals (DC), as they secured a 19-run victory against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Despite chasing a target of 209 runs, LSG managed to score 189 runs. However, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, which dealt a blow to their Playoff hopes.
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However, with this result, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have secured a place in the Top 4, following Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Now, fans on X (formerly known as Twitter) are eagerly anticipating the epic showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), as they believe the third spot may go to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
LSG's chase:
While chasing the 209 runs set by DC, LSG skipper KL Rahul departed early, managing just 5 runs off 3 balls. Quinton de Kock followed suit after scoring 12 off 8 balls, while Marcus Stoinis was stumped for 5 off 7. Deepak Hooda couldn't contribute much, departing for a 2-ball duck, but Nicholas Pooran's 27-ball 61 infused hope into LSG's innings.
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Ayush Badoni also departed after scoring just 6 off 9 balls, while Krunal Pandya added 18 runs off 18 deliveries. Yudhvir Singh Charak contributed 14 runs off 22 balls towards the later part of the innings.
Arshad Khan, who scored his maiden T20 half-century in 25 balls, held fort towards the end, but he didn't receive much support from the lower-order batters. Ravi Bishnoi was run out for 2 off 2 balls, while Naveen-ul-Haq couldn't make much impact in the final over.
DC's innings:
DC crossed the 200-run mark despite Jake Fraser-McGurk departing for a duck. Abishek Porel (58 off 33) and Shai Hope (38 off 27) formed a vital partnership of 92, stabilizing the innings. Later, in the innings, captain Rishabh Pant contributed a valuable 33 off 23 balls, while Tristan Stubbs provided a late surge with a scintillating 57 off just 25 balls. Stubbs initially took his time but then exploded with aggressive strokes.
During the middle overs, Ravi Bishnoi maintained tight control, bowling flat and fast outside off, frequently outfoxing the batsmen with his variations. However, LSG suffered due to a couple of dropped catches by Bishnoi. Naveen-ul-Haq claimed two wickets, while Arshad Khan and Bishnoi picked up one each.