Chennai Super Kings became the first team to confirm their spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs after Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Saturday. Opting to bowl in a must-win match, Rajasthan first restricted Sunrisers to 160 for eight and then chased down the target in 19.1 overs.
CSK – who have won eight matches in 12 outings – had virtually sealed a spot in the playoffs despite their defeat at the hands of Mumbai Indians on Friday. However, after SRH’s defeat against of RR, the defending champions sealed their progression in the knockout phase.
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Although MS Dhoni’s Chennai are confirmed of a spot in the next round, they still aren’t guaranteed which place they will eventually end at. Remember, the team which finishes at the top spot after the end of the league stage gets couple of cracks at making it into the final.
So, despite sealing a place in the knockouts, CSK are unlikely to take their put off the gas. Meanwhile, three places are still up for grabs and the competition is heating up as we are reaching the business end of the competition.
{{/usCountry}}So, despite sealing a place in the knockouts, CSK are unlikely to take their put off the gas. Meanwhile, three places are still up for grabs and the competition is heating up as we are reaching the business end of the competition.
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Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals too have virtually sealed their progression and respective wins in the next game will get them closer to their target. The teams in the bottom half of the table still have an outside chance of making it into the playoffs and they will make things difficult for their counterparts in the top half.