Ahmedabad: In a dramatic turn of events at the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Gujarat Titans faced a heartbreaking exit from the playoff contention as their crucial match against the Kolkata Knight Riders was called off due to relentless rain in Ahmedabad. The much-anticipated showdown deemed a ‘do or die’ encounter for the Titans, was eagerly awaited by fans who were left disappointed by the weather’s intervention.
The skies opened up before the scheduled toss at 7 PM, with lightning and a persistent drizzle setting the stage for a gloomy evening. Hopes for the match were kept alive as the ground staff tirelessly worked to keep the pitch dry, but as the rain intensified, the prospects dimmed. The officials held on until the last possible moment, with the cut-off for a truncated five-over-a-side match set at 10:56 AM. However, the downpour showed no signs of abating, leading to the first abandonment of this IPL season due to a wet outfield.
This cancellation has solidified Kolkata Knight Riders’ position with an impressive tally of 19 points from 13 matches, ensuring their spot in the top two of the league standings. On the other hand, the Gujarat Titans find themselves out of the playoff race, standing with 11 points from an equal number of matches.
The current leaderboard sees the Rajasthan Royals comfortably placed in second with 16 points from 12 matches, while the reigning champions, Chennai Super Kings, hold the third spot with 14 points from 13 matches. Not far behind are the Sunrisers Hyderabad in fourth place, also with 14 points but from 12 matches, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore in fifth with 12 points from 13 matches. The Lucknow Super Giants, with 12 points from 12 matches, still have a mathematical chance to clinch a playoff berth. In contrast, the Delhi Capitals have been edged out of the competition, standing with 12 points from 13 matches.
The IPL continues to deliver thrilling cricket action and unexpected twists, with teams battling it out for glory and fans eagerly anticipating the outcome of this season’s fierce competition.
