The five-time champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), emerged victorious against Punjab Kings (PBKS) by a narrow margin of 9 runs in Mullanpur on April 18 in the 33rd match of the IPL 2024. This win propelled them up the IPL 2024's points table, climbing from ninth to seventh place. Hardik Pandya's leadership has helped MI secure three wins from seven matches so far.
PBKS Slide Continues
Unfortunately for Punjab Kings, the loss pushed them further down the standings. They now occupy ninth place with only two wins from seven matches. Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans also faced a drop, sharing the eighth spot with PBKS due to their similar record of three wins in seven.
RR Maintain Dominance
Rajasthan Royals (RR) continue their reign at the top. Their successful chase of a mammoth 224-run target against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) solidified their position. With six convincing wins from seven matches, RR sit comfortably at the top of the table with a commanding lead of 12 points.
KKR and CSK Neck-and-Neck
Currently tied for second place with 8 points each are Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, KKR boast a superior net run rate of 1.399 compared to CSK's 0.726. CSK will look to maintain their momentum when they face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) tomorrow in Lucknow.
Sunrisers Soaring on Batting Prowess
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) occupy fourth place with four wins from six matches, showcasing their impressive batting firepower.
Mid-Table Squeeze: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) are locked in a tight race for fifth and sixth place, both having secured three wins from seven matches. DC will be buoyed by their recent six-wicket victory against Gujarat Titans (GT).
RCB Face Uphill Battle
Unfortunately, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table with only one win from seven matches. They'll need a significant turnaround to climb up the ranks.
Here's how the IPL 2024's points table looks like after PBKS vs MI's encounter:
| 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 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +0.726 |
| 4 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 | +0.502 |
| 5 | Lucknow Super Giants | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | +0.038 |
| 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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