KL Rahul Saves Punjab Kings from IPL Exit; Delhi Capitals Into Playoffs as KKR Lose By Five Wickets

Punjab Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by five wickets in Dubai. This meant that they have averted an IPL exit, paving the way for Delhi Capitals who now become the second team to qualify for the playoffs. KL Rahul was out in the final over of the innings with Punjab still needing four off four, but Shahrukh Khan smashed a six off Venkatesh Iyer to end all possibility of a tight finish. Before this, KL Rahul was given not out amid all the drama after his catch was taken superbly in the deep by by Rahul Tripathi, but the umpire thought otherwise.

IPL 2021 Full Coverage | Schedule | Results | Points Tally | Orange Cap | Purple Cap

So not only luck wasn’t with the Knights, they also let themselves down with poor fielding. Both the Punjab openers Rahul and Mayank Agarwal (40 off 27 balls) were dropped. The duo made Morgan-led side pay with a solid 70-run stand upfront. Later a mix up between Dinesh Karthik and Varun Chakrawarthy made sure KKR give another reprieve to dangerman Rahul who was finally out playing a knock of 67 off 55 balls, ending all hopes of a possible KKR return. Only disappointment was Nicholas Pooran whose poor form continued as he threw his wicket away for 12.