END OF OVER:20 | 3 Runs | LSG: 189/9 (20 runs required, RR: 9.45)
- Naveen-ul-Haq2 (4b)
- Arshad Khan58 (33b)
- Rasikh Salam3-0-30-0
- Mukesh Kumar4-0-33-1
So today's result all but ensured that neither DC nor LSG will make it to the playoffs. LSG are No. 7 in the points table, and with a NRR of -0.787, the second-worst among all sides. That means it's KKR and RR officially confirmed as playoffs participants, with two out of SRH, CSK and RCB to get in. Here's Srinidhi's report from tonight, as we wrap the day up. Goodnight, and take care!
Ishant Sharma is the Player of the Match for his 3 for 34: "The last few games I have been trying to bowl the knuckle ball, but it wasn't going well. I have been working on a new slower ball... I don't think too much about these things; I take it by a day. I just look forward to each day. I just want to thank Patrick [Farhat, the physio]; because of him, I was able to play nine games. We were just talking about how we can make a good comeback."
Rishabh Pant: "Pooran was giving us a hard time, with the kind of calibre he has. But we had certain plans. We started the season with a lot of hope, but there were injuries, and ups and downs. But as a franchise, you can't complain all the time; you have to make use of what you have... There are some things which you can control, but some things which you can't. Personally, it was fantastic to come back on the field. The kind of support I got from the whole of India was heartening to see. It was a long time to wait."
Time for the presentations
Mohan: "For me, Ishant Sharma is deserving POTM" --- Both Porel and Stubbs have the edge, I feel
Kuldeep Yadav: "It was a good wicket to bowl [on], especially for the spinners. I was getting a little bit of grip, so I was looking to spin the ball. The length matters [too], and the wicket was slower. The revs are very important. When the wicket is slow, you have to be perfect regardless of the length. The pace is very important. That's how cricket is - we just came here to win, and we won! Obviously, NRR matters a lot, and let's see which teams go through."
KL Rahul: "I feel like the wicket remained the same throughout the 40 overs. When we got Jake in the first over, we started out well. But even when the wickets are falling, they keep coming hard. I think 200 was a par score, and we should have chased it down. This has been the problem for us throughout the season - we lose wickets in the powerplay."
Here's confirmation from our statsman Rajesh: SRH need to lose their last two matches by a combined margin of 194 runs (chasing 200 each time) for DC to go past them on NRR.
Giridhar P: "Into playoffs go Rajasthan Royals! Halla Bol"
11.35pm Not a margin of victory DC will be satisfied with after having LSG at 44 for 4 in the fifth over. And though they get the two points they needed, remember, DC's games are done - so they will have to depend on other results to go their way if they are dreaming off a playoffs spot. SRH, placed fourth on the points table, on the other hand, have as many as two games in hand. DC are fifth for now, and in fact, even RCB, who are sixth, have the cushion of another match remaining. So we know how little DC's chances are of qualifying for the playoffs. Meanwhile, today's result confirms RR's spot in the final four.
CupNamde: "RCB still alive in the tournament"
An unlikely 23 needed. Salam from around the wicket.
END OF OVER:19 | 6 Runs 1 Wkt | LSG: 186/9 (23 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 9.78, RRR: 23.00)
- Naveen-ul-Haq2 (1b)
- Arshad Khan55 (30b)
- Mukesh Kumar4-0-33-1
- Rasikh Salam2-0-27-0
Arshad retains strike for LSG, with last man Naveen at the other end
Ravi Bishnoi run out 2 (9m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Rajkumar Lingav: "Arshad gave 45 runs while bowling, and he has scored more than that while batting" --- All square!
LSG need another 29 from 12. Mukesh is back.
END OF OVER:18 | 13 Runs | LSG: 180/8 (29 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 10.00, RRR: 14.50)
- Arshad Khan52 (26b)
- Ravi Bishnoi1 (1b)
- Rasikh Salam2-0-27-0
- Khaleel Ahmed2-0-22-1
RCBfans: "Wicket.. Wicket.."
Anshul: "Arshad has already doubled his highest score"
Bishnoi facing his first ball
END OF OVER:17 | 18 Runs 1 Wkt | LSG: 167/8 (42 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 9.82, RRR: 14.00)
- Arshad Khan40 (21b)
- Khaleel Ahmed2-0-22-1
- Rasikh Salam1-0-14-0
Yudhvir Singh c Hope b Ahmed 14 (11m 7b 1x4 1x6) SR: 200.00
Khaleel back