Mahendra Singh Dhoni-captained Chennai Super Kings became the second IPL franchise to seal a berth in the playoffs after Rajasthan Royals defeated Mumbai Indians at the Wankhade Stadium in Mumbai yesterday. Chennai had defeated Hyderabad in Sunday’s first game in Pune, their new home, and Rajasthan’s victory ensured they join the Kane Williamson-led team in the playoffs.
The @ChennaiIPL walking into the #VIVOIPL Playoffs like ? pic.twitter.com/p4R3WiVPIg
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 13, 2018
Incidentally, the race for the remaining two playoffs berths is still wide open with the fight mainly between Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals although Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians could mathematically make it to the top-four if they win all the rest of their matches with a superior run rate.
#IPL2018 : #RajasthanRoyals (171/3 in 18 overs) beat #MumbaiIndians (168/6) by 7 wickets to move up to 5th in the standings. Jos Buttler slams 5th consecutive half century, remains unbeaten on 94 (53 balls)#MIvRR
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) May 13, 2018
While Chennai Super Kings defeated table-toppers Sun Risers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in Pune yesterday, Jos Buttler inspired Rajasthan Royals to a seven-wicket victory — the third on the trot for the Royals — over Mumbai Indians at the latter’s home turf: the Wankhade.
Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore will face third-placed Kings XI Punjab in a must-win encounter at Indore later tonight.
We remain hopeful after considering all permutations and combinations. Here's how we can still qualify for the play-offs after winning all the league games to come. #PlayBold
➡️ https://t.co/jZifqG56PL pic.twitter.com/YREOjdINgh
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) May 14, 2018