Intensity set to pick up
The league stage of IPL 2018 came to a close on Sunday with Rajasthan Royals becoming the fourth and final team to progress to the play-offs stage of the league's 11th season, bringing to an end a 56-game streak that saw several franchise script some amazing runs of form.
Second-placed Chennai Super Kings' five-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab in the league stage's final match confirmed that Rajasthan Royals became the final team to seal a play-offs berth. Table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad and two-time title holders Kolkata Knight Riders are the other teams.
The first qualifier match will be played on Tuesday at the Wankhede Stadium between SRH and CSK, followed by the Eliminator between KKR and RR at Eden Gardens a day later. The second Qualifier will also be at Eden Gardens on May 25 and the final at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday May 27.
Sunrisers' bowling attack has been the most captivating to watch, but of late they've dipped somewhat. To take them to the final, the trio of Rashid Khan, Shakib Al Hasan and Siddarth Kaul will have to once again combine to flummox CSK on Tuesday, given that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been off-colour all season. Kane Williamson has been tremendous and if he pulls of a gem or two, SRH will remain the team to beat.
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