The highly-anticipated showdown between Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was called off due to rain. Despite extensive discussions and efforts by officials to salvage some cricket for the 45,000 fans in attendance, the persistent wet spell had the final say, resulting in the abandonment of the match.
The teams were awarded one point each. This kept KKR at the top of the table with 19 points from 13 games. This also secured them a spot in the top two, which means they will get two shots to reach the final. The last two times they finished in the top two — in 2012 and 2014 — they won the title. Gautam Gambhir, the team mentor this time, was the skipper on both occasions.
GT, meanwhile, are officially out of the tournament. With 11 points from 13 matches, they are eighth on the table. It has been a disappointing campaign for the franchise, which finished winners and runners-up in the last two seasons. Despite being out of the playoffs race, GT can still disrupt the plans of Sunrisers Hyderabad, when the teams face each other on May 16.
KKR will get a longer break before facing Rajasthan Royals in the last group league match on May 19. RR are second on the table with 16 points from 12 matches. If they win their next match, the fixture in Jaipur against KKR will determine which team tops the table,
With three playoff spots up for grabs and six teams still in contention, the competition remains intense in the final week of the league phase. The upcoming match between Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants holds significant importance. It has become virtually a knockout encounter following the washout in Ahmedabad. The losers will face elimination.