IPL 2024: KKR clinches league-stage top spot after Rajasthan Royals loses to Punjab Kings
Kolkata Knight Riders assured itself of the top spot in the league stage of the IPL 2024 after Rajasthan Royals stumbled to a defeat to Punjab Kings on Wednesday in Guwahati.
Royals, who were on 16 points, had to beat Kings to give themselves a chance to reach KKR’s points tally (19)
RR set a below-par target of 145 runs for PBKS which it chased down in 18.5 overs with five wickets in hand.
A win for RR in the next game confirms it a top-three finish, however, if it aims to finish top-two, Sunrisers Hyderabad will have to lose one of its remaining two matches.
IPL 2024 POINTS TABLE AFTER RR VS PBKS
| Position | Team | Mat | Won | Lost | NR | Points | NRR |
| 1. | Kolkata Knight Riders (Q) | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 19 | +1.428 |
| 2. | Rajasthan Royals (Q) | 13 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 16 | +0.273 |
| 3. | Chennai Super Kings | 13 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 14 | +0.528 |
| 4. | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 14 | +0.406 |
| 5. | Delhi Capitals | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | -0.377 |
| 6. | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 12 | +0.387 |
| 7. | Lucknow Super Giants | 13 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 12 | -0.787 |
| 8. | Gujarat Titans (E) | 13 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 11 | -1.063 |
| 9. | Punjab Kings (E) | 13 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 10 | -0.347 |
| 10. | Mumbai Indians (E) | 13 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 8 | -0.271 |
(Updated after RR vs PBKS on May 15)