Steve Smith-led Rising Pune Supergiant defeated Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets to enter the playoff spot in their IPL match. Punjab, who had won four out of their last five games were bowled out for 73, their lowest-ever total in the tournament. Pune chased it in 12 overs with nine wickets in hand. In a virtual knockout game for both the teams, the hosts dominated to seal their first playoffs spot at a packed MCA Stadium in Pune. Other than their bowling, Pune's fielding was another highlight of the day. Pune qualified as the No. 2 team in the league table. It means they will get two shots to make it to the title match next Sunday. First, they will get to play Mumbai Indians at Wankhede stadium on Tuesday. And even if they lose for the first time in their third outing against Mumbai this season, Pune will get to play the winner between Hyderabad and Kolkata for another shot at the final.
Despite win, Bangalore finish last
It was the battle for the wooden spooners on this tenth season of the IPL. A largely forgettable IPL season where Royal Challengers Bangalore came woefully undone despite their batting might, saw some salvaging with a thrilling 10-run victory over Delhi Daredevils. The visitors, after losing as many as 10 games, recorded their third overall win. Even here, Delhi couldn't finish their disappointing IPL season on a high. It was RCB's second win against Delhi in an inconsequential last game of the season. Virat Kohli, who himself had a poor run of form, can seek some comfort ahead of the Champions Trophy, with a much-needed, assuring 58 off 45 balls with three fours and sixes on his home turf in Delhi where he's learnt his trade.
Hyderabad ease into playoffs
The sun rose for Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur, as they roared past Gujarat Lions to enter the IPL playoffs. After Gujarat posted a modest target of 155 runs, Hyderabad got to the target losing just two wickets with 11 deliveries to spare. For them, skipper David Warner and Vijay Shankar remained unbeaten on 69 and 63 runs respectively. The eight-wicket win ensured that Hyderabad finished the league engagements with 17 points. Hyderabad braved some initial resistance after they won the toss and elected to field, with the two Gujarat openers - Dwayne Smith and Ishan Kishan - stringing a partnership of 111 runs off 10.5 overs. Both Smith and Kishan tore apart the attack to make life difficult for the Hyderabad bowlers.
Mumbai finish on top; Kolkata qualify
Kolkata Knight Riders were ensured of a playoff berth even before the first ball of their last league match against Mumbai Indians was bowled at the Eden Gardens, because earlier in the day, Sunrisers Hyderabad made the last four by winning their last match. But the Kolkata outfit suffered a major confidence jolt before the playoffs as they went down tamely to a second-string Mumbai side at home by nine runs. Keeping an eye on the playoffs, Mumbai, who were the first to seal a last four spot this time, decided to test their bench strength by making six changes. The newcomers did not disappoint as Saurabh Tiwary anchored the innings at the top and Ambati Rayudu played a quickfire innings down the order to help them put up 173-5 after being put in to bat by Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir on winning the toss. The win helped Mumbai finish on top with 20 points while Kolkata (16 points) will play the eliminator against Pune.
Kings XI Punjab beat Mumbai
He went for 57 runs off his four overs, but Mohit Sharma held his nerve and delivered when it mattered to keep the Kings XI Punjab alive in the race for the play-offs as they scampered home against the Mumbai Indians by seven runs in a high-scoring thriller at the Wankhede stadium. MI needed 16 runs off the last over and looked to be on target when Kieron Pollard (50 not out), smashed Mohit's second ball for a six, but the medium-pacer bounced back brilliantly, bowling three consecutive dot balls to the big West Indian to concede just eight off his final six balls and seal a much-needed seventh win for the Kings in 13 matches, before they travel to Pune to take on Rising Pune Supergiant in their last league game on May 14.
Iyer guides Delhi to victory over Gujarat
Shreyas Iyer did all the right things to pull Delhi Daredevils past Gujarat Lions by two wickets in their IPL match at Green Park stadium. The Mumbai lad was all fire and brim as he cut loose with his repertoire of shots to hit the Lions hard on their second home ground. He drove, punched, swept and pulled with confidence as Delhi chased down a challenging target of 196 with two deliveries remaining in a thrilling encounter. Though both the sides are out of contention for a playoff berth, the victory now takes Delhi to ten points from 12 matches, while the Lions are languishing at eight with just a game to go against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Punjab live to fight another day
Kings XI Punjab survived a blistering 52-ball 84 by opener Chris Lynn to eke out a critical victory over Kolkata Knight Riders and keep alive their hopes in IPL-10. Punjab, who would have been ousted from the tournament if they had lost the game, kept their nerves even when KKR looked well on course to achieve the victory target of 168.
Kolkata, who needed to win the match to make sure of their playoff qualification, lost wickets regularly as, barring Lynn, none of their batsmen could play a good enough knock. The visitors managed 153-6 in their 20 overs, losing by 14 runs.
Box
Pune, Mumbai get two chances to enter IPL final
Rising Pune Supergiant which defeated Kings XI Punjab finished as second team in league stage at IPL with 18 points. Mumbai, which topped the table with 20 points, and Pune will now get two chances to enter the final
Qualifier1: Mumbai vs Pune, in Mumbai May 16
Winner will enter the final, loser plays winner of eliminator.
Eliminator: Kolkata vs Hyderabad in Bangalore, May 17
Qualifier 2: Winner of Eliminator vs loser of Qualifier 1 in Bangalore May 19 to decide the second finalist.
Final: Hyderabad, May 21
