The hopes of Gujarat Titans to secure a spot in the IPL playoffs were dashed as their match against Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned due to rain in Ahmedabad on Monday. With not a single ball bowled, both teams walked away with one point each, solidifying Kolkata’s position at the top of the table and ensuring their qualification for the next stage.
Kolkata’s consistent performance has been evident throughout the season, as they now aim to replicate their past successes after securing a top-two finish, a position that has previously led them to IPL victory in 2012 and 2014.
While the top four teams will advance to the playoffs, finishing in the first or second position grants the advantage of two opportunities to qualify for the final on May 26 in Chennai.
The unexpected rainfall in Ahmedabad disappointed numerous fans gathered at the renowned cricket stadium, where the captains of both teams, unable to even proceed to the toss, eventually called off the match.
Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, Gujarat Titans, who clinched the IPL title in their debut season in 2022 under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, now find themselves out of contention, joining Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings in the sidelines of the title race.
Meanwhile, Kolkata, led by Shreyas Iyer, have maintained their dominance in this edition, boasting 10 wins and 19 points from 13 matches, keeping them ahead of the second-placed Rajasthan Royals.
As the league stage approaches its conclusion, six teams, including defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore, vie for the remaining three spots in the playoffs, setting the stage for an intense battle in the upcoming matches.
