By Razeen Gutta
Royal Challengers Bengaluru lead the way as three teams locked in IPL playoff spots this week, with Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad also confirming their places in the knockout stages.
RCB were the first to qualify after extending Punjab Kings’ losing run to six matches with a 23-run win in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Virat Kohli passed 500 runs for the ninth time in a season as RCB posted 222-4.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar then ripped through Punjab’s top order, removing Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh early to leave them 19-3.
Despite a half century from Shashank Singh and 30s from Cooper Connolly, Marcus Stoinis and Suryansh Shedge, Punjab never really recovered and finished on 199-7.
Sunrisers Hyderabad joined RCB on Monday with a nervy five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.
Pat Cummins’ 3-28 restricted CSK to 180-7, and Ishan Kishan’s attacking 70 guided Hyderabad home with six balls to spare.
The result also sealed Gujarat Titans’ playoff berth.
Five teams now battle for the final playoff spot, with the final set for 31 May in Ahmedabad.
Pictured above: Virat Kohli
Source: @royalchallengers.bengaluru
