While, Delhi Capitals (DC) advanced further up the IPL 2024 points table, Rajasthan Royals (RR) all but confirmed their top four finish after both the teams notched their dominant wins on April 27. The IPL 2024 standings witnessed a shakeup on Saturday after thrilling doubleheader. In the opening match, Delhi Capitals secured a crucial 10-run victory over Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
DC vs MI's thrilling run-fest
This win was fueled by a blistering knock from young talent Jake Fraser-McGurk. McGurk, unfazed by the Delhi heat, unleashed his power-hitting prowess, scoring a phenomenal 84 runs off just 27 balls. His knock propelled Delhi to a formidable total of 257 for 4 after they opted to bat first.
Despite valiant efforts from Tilak Varma (63) and Hardik Pandya (46) with the bat, Mumbai Indians couldn't chase down the target. Delhi's bowlers, led by Rasikh Salam's 3 wickets for 34 runs, kept chipping away at the Mumbai batting lineup, restricting them to 247 for 9. This win propelled Delhi Capitals to the fifth spot in the standings, while Mumbai remained near the bottom.
The evening match brought about a different story. At the Ekana Stadium, Rajasthan Royals dominated against Lucknow Super Giants. Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel led the charge with a brilliant partnership, guiding the Royals to a convincing 7-wicket victory. This win practically sealed Rajasthan's place in the playoffs. With 16 points from just 9 matches, they solidified their position at the top of the table.
Sanju Samson wreaks havoc
The clash between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants showcased a contrasting display of batsmanship, ultimately propelling Rajasthan closer to the IPL playoffs. KL Rahul, Lucknow's captain, struck a composed 76 off 48 balls. However, Sanju Samson, the Rajasthan captain, stole the show with a blazing 71 off just 33 deliveries. While Rahul's knock was impressive, it lacked the explosiveness of Samson's innings. Samson's unbeaten knock, featuring five boundaries and four sixes, had a far greater impact on the chase. Chasing a tricky target of 197, Rajasthan cruised to victory with an over to spare, losing only three wickets. Youngster Dhruv Jurel, finally coming good after a string of low scores, provided valuable support with a solid 52 not out off 34 balls. His innings included five fours and two sixes.
This win cemented Rajasthan's position at the top of the table with 16 points. They are now six points clear of the second-placed Kolkata Knight Riders. The victory also puts them on the verge of becoming the first team to secure a playoff spot in this year's IPL edition. The current mid-table congestion suggests the playoffs cut-off might be around 18 points.
Here's how IPL 2024's points table looks like after DC vs MI and LSG vs RR's clashes:
| Pos. | Team | Mat. | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
| 1 | Rajasthan Royals | 9 | 8 | 1 | 16 | +0.694 |
| 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 8 | 5 | 3 | 10 | +0.972 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 8 | 5 | 3 | 10 | +0.577 |
| 4 | Lucknow Super Giants | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 | +0.059 |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals | 10 | 5 | 5 | 10 | +0.276 |
| 6 | Chennai Super Kings | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 | +0.415 |
| 7 | Gujarat Titans | 9 | 4 | 5 | 8 | -0.974 |
| 8 | Punjab Kings | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | -0.187 |
| 9 | Mumbai Indians | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | -0.261 |
| 10 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 9 | 2 | 7 | 4 | -0.721 |
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