The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secured a comfortable win against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), defeating them by eight wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter on April 19. This win helped LSG maintain their fifth position in the IPL 2024 points table. Chasing a target of 177, LSG openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock were the stars of the show. Rahul smashed a brilliant 82 runs off just 53 balls, while De Kock provided valuable support with a knock of 54 runs from 43 balls. Their strong partnership ensured LSG reached the target in just 19 overs, losing only two wickets. Earlier, CSK posted a total of 176/6 in their 20 overs. Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten knock of 57 runs and MS Dhoni's lightning 9-balls 28 were the highlight of CSK's innings. For LSG, Krunal Pandya emerged as the pick of the bowlers, scalping two crucial wickets.
CSK, LSG remain undisturbed in points table
After the match, LSG continued to grab 5th spot, CSK too are rigid on third place in the IPL 2024's points table. The Rajasthan Royals are dominating the IPL, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with 12 points after seven matches. Hot on their heels are the Kolkata Knight Riders in second place. The battle for the remaining playoff spots is heating up. Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Lucknow Super Giants are all tied for third with 8 points each. Net run rate will be the deciding factor for who secures a coveted spot in the next stage. Delhi Capitals are clinging to sixth place, while Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans are fighting for survival in seventh and eighth, respectively. Punjab Kings hold the ninth position, and Royal Challengers Bangalore find themselves at the bottom of the table, looking to turn things around.
Here's how the IPL 2024's points table looks like after LSG vs CSK's clash:
| Pos. | Team | Mat. | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
| 1 | Rajasthan Royals | 7 | 6 | 1 | 12 | +0.677 |
| 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +1.399 |
| 3 | Chennai Super Kings | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | +0.529 |
| 4 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +0.502 |
| 5 | Lucknow Super Giants | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | +0.123 |
| 6 | Delhi Capitals | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -0.074 |
| 7 | Mumbai Indians | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -0.133 |
| 8 | Gujarat Titans | 7 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -1.303 |
| 9 | Punjab Kings | 7 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -0.251 |
| 10 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 7 | 1 | 6 | 2 | -1.185 |
The race for the IPL 2024 playoffs is on. Currently, four teams are in contention for the coveted spots: Rajasthan Royals (RR), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Road to Playoff
The Top Four: Only the top four teams in the final league standings will advance to the playoffs.
Qualifier 1: The teams ranked first and second will face off in Qualifier 1. The winner of this match automatically qualifies for the final.
Eliminator: The teams ranked third and fourth will battle it out in the Eliminator. The winner gets a second chance to reach the final.
Qualifier 2: The loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator will play Qualifier 2. The victor of this match secures a spot in the final.
The Grand Finale: Scheduled for May 26, the final will determine the champion of IPL 2024.
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