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The highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 league stage has reached its conclusion, with the final match between the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders being washed out due to incessant rain at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Following the conclusion of the league stage, the final standings of the IPL 2024 points table have been determined. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged as the table-toppers, securing nine wins and two no results from their 14 matches, amassing a total of 19 points with an impressive net run rate of 1.428.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) clinched the second spot with eight wins, five losses, and one no result, accumulating 17 points. Rajasthan Royals (RR), despite a strong start, slipped to third place with eight wins, five losses, and one no result, totaling 16 points. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) managed to secure the fourth and final playoff spot with seven wins and seven losses, earning 14 points.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi Capitals (DC), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Gujarat Titans (GT), Punjab Kings (PBKS), and Mumbai Indians (MI) followed in the standings, failing to secure a place in the playoffs.
The top four teams, KKR, SRH, RR, and RCB, will now advance to the playoffs, with KKR facing SRH in Qualifier 1 and RR taking on RCB in Eliminator 1.
KKR, led by the exceptional leadership of Shreyas Iyer, has been the most consistent team throughout the tournament, showcasing balanced performances across all departments. Sunil Narine's resurgence has been a significant factor in their success, with his impactful contributions both with the bat and ball.
SRH, under the guidance of Pat Cummins, has rediscovered its winning ways, overcoming their past struggles in chasing large totals. Abhishek Sharma's blistering half-century against CSK epitomized their improved form as they set their sights on the playoff stage.
RR, despite a promising start under Sanju Samson, encountered a mid-season slump, losing four consecutive matches. The absence of Jos Buttler and uncertainties surrounding other overseas players pose challenges for RR as they aim to regain their momentum in the Eliminator.
RCB, against all odds, managed to secure a playoff berth by defeating CSK in a must-win encounter. Their collective resilience and string of impressive performances propelled them into the next stage.
PBKS finished ninth in the standings, facing numerous setbacks, including the absence of their skipper Shikhar Dhawan due to injury. Despite valiant efforts from Shashank Singh and Harshal Patel, the team's inconsistent performances ultimately hindered their progress.
MI, despite boasting a star-studded squad, endured a disappointing season, finishing at the bottom of the table. Jasprit Bumrah remained a beacon of consistency with exceptional bowling performances, but the team as a whole failed to live up to expectations.