Durban, May 20 (Inditop) Chennai Super Kings have done a good turn to Deccan Chargers and Bangalore Royal Challengers, taking them along into the semi-finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by beating Kings XI Punjab by 24 runs in a low-soring game here Wednesday.
Earlier, reigning champions Rajasthan Royals went out of the reckoning when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets in another decisive game of small scores. Royals needed to beat Knight Riders to stay in contention.
Delhi Daredevils were the earliest to qualify for the knock-out stage as table toppers. Chennai Super Kings, even if they had lost to Kings XI Punjab, would have reached the last four with 15 points. They increased their points to 17 after the victory and finished as the second team in the standings.
Both Bangalore Royal Challengers and Deccan Chargers have 14 points each and are respectively at third and fourth place in the standings on account of their net run-rates. Chargers is way ahead in the net run-rate (0+.265) and are through to the last four even if they lose Thursday.
Kings XI Punjab, who remained at at fifth place with 14 points, have only a mathematical chance of making the last four – if Bangalore Royal Challengers lose by a big margin and their net run-rate drops behind Punjab.
The net run-rate of Royal Challengers and Kings XI Punjab are 0-.253 and 0-.483 respectively and the former has to perform very badly to allow Kings XI a semifinal berth.
In the semifinal, Delhi Daredevils will play Thursday’s losing team while Chennai Super Kings will take on the winners.
In another match Thursday. Daredevils will play Mumbai Indians in an inconsequential tie.
For the record, Kings XI Punjab could manage ony 92/8 to Super Kings’ 116/9, while Rajasthan Royals found their 101 being easily overtaken by Knight Riders’ 102/6.