Kohli leads RCB to play-offs

Royal Challengers Bangalore became the fourth team to book a berth in the play-offs of the Indian Premier League after defeating the Delhi Daredevils by six wickets.

In the crucial final match of the league phase on Sunday, RCB, needing a win to qualify, restricted Delhi to 138 for eight in 20 overs and romped home in 18.1 overs, reaching 139 for four.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal did the star turn for RCB, claiming three for 32, before skipper Virat Kohli (54 not out) and K L Rahul (38) took them to victory, enabling them to finish second on the points table, behind the Gujarat Lions. The Lions topped the table with 18 points, while RCB ended with 16.

Mumbai bows out
RCB thus joined the Lions, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders in the play-offs, while defending champions Mumbai Indians bowed out.

Earlier in the day, Kolkata defeated Sunrisers by 22 runs to clinch a spot in the last four. After Monday’s rest day, Gujarat will take on RCB in Qualifier 1 in Bengaluru,  while Sunrisers Hyderabad will clash with Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator in New Delhi on Wednesday.