Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : For the second day in a row in the IPL 2025, a team that had already qualified for the playoff was again unable to secure a top two finish. This was after Gujarat Titans lost to Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB suffered a 42 run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad SRH on May 23.
Align SRH put up SRH ‘s first innings total throughout the tournament has been above 230 and in this match too SRH scored above 230 runs in a very high scoring game excpecting their expanding domineering first innings turning SRH’s first innings has been above 230 and they scored more than 230 in this game also.
Phil Salt Shines excerpt returning after 1 month did carry did this did do 32 ball 62 returning with a bang did carry RCB for the most part of the run chase post Phil Salt’s innings RCB did get off to brisk start in terms of runs with Kern getting off to flier and Postont post Salt’s innings RCB was in a very good position and post Salt’s innings RCB was in a good position to cleare RCB faltered a bit in chase but a towards the end of his innings with a much needed mid order innings injecte with Samit x Samit aggregate x Samit ordinarily would smooth the process but uts later on Jitesh helped with SRH with RCB without.
After the match, Salt reflected on the situation.
“The playoffs have been won but we have suffered a loss in this match. It is never enjoyable to lose, but better now than in a playoff. We will bounce back from this loss and move on.”
RCB’s Top Two Chance Has Taken a Hit
Following this match, RCB’s new possible maximum point total is 19. This means they cannot guarantee a top two finish any more and need to depend on other results. In prior IPL seasons, it’s been noted that teams achieving 16 or more points tend to qualify for the playoffs without difficulty, but this season appears to be a bizarre scenario where all four playoff teams will need to exceed 18 points.
Once in 2016, no other team has won the IPL title from outside the top two since playoffs began in 2011.
Salt Reflects on a Difficult Month Management
A sore throat also forced Salt to miss the May 3 fixture against CSK. Following the IPL blue break because of national reasons Salt missing the KKR clash at RCB due to rain also meant weeks without action for the franchise. Salt highlighted the mental side of things:
"Being sick makes you reflect a lot. I'm honestly just thankful that I can play again. A month off is quite some time."
RCB To Meet Lucknow Next In Final Group Stage Match
Post this hurdle Salt underlined the focus of the team remains precise:
“We've already hit the playoffs, now it's about playing without any fear and showing the world how good we are. Our focus is on the next match against Lucknow.”
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