Sanju Samson’s Rajasthan Royals (RR) defeated the two-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) decisively at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, thwarting their attempt to improve their IPL 2023 playoffs hopes in game no. 56 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The Yashasvi Jaiswal-led RR team defeated Nitish Rana’s KKR to advance in the current season’s playoff race. In a lopsided match at Eden Gardens, opener Jaiswal smashed a record-breaking half-century to ensure that RR defeated KKR.
The 2008 winners crushed the hosts by 9 wickets in Kolkata thanks to Jaiswal’s magnificent 98 off 47 balls and RR skipper Samson’s important 48 off 29 balls. With the convincing victory over the defending champions, Samson’s RR team has moved up to third place in the IPL 2023 points standings. Champions of the premier tournament’s 2008 season, RR, are only three points behind second-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who will likely face off against Gujarat Titans (GT) for the championship this year.
After successfully chasing down the required runs in 13.1 overs, Samson’s RR team improved their Net Run Rate (NRR) to 0.633. Mumbai Indians (MI), the defending IPL 2023 winners, are listed behind third-placed RR in the rankings. Rana‘s team can only end the season with a maximum of 14 points because KKR is now seventh in the rankings. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who are now in sixth position on the IPL 2023 points table, are just two points behind RR and MI. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who are now in fifth position, are only one point ahead of RR and MI in the rankings.
The Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans will play each other in game 57 of the IPL 2023 on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium. Even if the record-time winners lose to GT at home, they will still get 16 points. After the home game against GT, MI will need to win their final two games. This season, RCB and Punjab Kings may each score 16 points. Rohit’s team may still contend for a top-two finish if they win all three of their remaining league contests this year. MI will have to rely on other outcomes falling in their favour if they lose two of their next three games.
