KATHMANDU, May 25: The Indian Premier League (IPL) will feature a clash between table-toppers Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings today. The match will start at 3:45 pm Nepali time in Ahmedabad.
This is the final league-stage match of the season for both teams. Chennai Super Kings, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are at the bottom of the standings in 10th place with only six points from 13 matches. Chennai will aim to end their season on a high note by defeating Gujarat.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, will aim to secure a direct berth in the Qualifier by winning today's match. With 18 points from 13 games, Gujarat sits at the top of the table. A win today would put them three points ahead of second-placed Punjab Kings.
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Gujarat, Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Mumbai Indians have already secured playoff spots. Punjab and Bangalore both have 17 points, while Mumbai has 16. Punjab will play Mumbai in their final league match, while Bangalore will face Lucknow Super Giants.
If Punjab and Bangalore both win, the team qualifying for the qualifier will be decided based on net run rate. If Punjab loses to Mumbai and Bangalore beats Lucknow, Bangalore will make it to the qualifier. On the other hand, if Bangalore loses and Mumbai defeats Punjab, Mumbai will enter the qualifier.
Therefore, all four playoff teams-Gujarat, Punjab, Bangalore, and Mumbai-still have equal chances of qualifying for the Qualifier stage.
Later tonight, at 7:45 pm Nepali time, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders will play their final league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. Kolkata is in seventh place with 12 points, while Hyderabad is eighth with 11 points.
