Rajasthan books place in IPL qualifier

Rajasthan overtook Lucknow Super Giants on run-rate to finish second in the regular season standings. Rajasthan will meet league leaders Gujarat Titans on Tuesday with the winner going through to the final.

Lucknow's opponent in Wednesday's play-offs eliminator will be known after Delhi Capitals meet Mumbai Indians on Saturday. Delhi wil progress with a win, otherwise Royal Challengers Bangalore qualify.

Ravichandran Ashwin, promoted up the batting order, made an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls for Rajasthan to win with two balls left. The Royals made 5-151 in reply to Chennai's 6-150.

Chennai's 10th defeat in 14 games wasted Moeen Ali's brilliant 93. Left-handed Ali smashed a half-century off only 19 balls. He hit 13 fours and three sixes.

Ashwin, who was hit for 16 runs in his first over during the batting powerplay, gave away only 12 more runs in his next three overs to finish with 1-28.

Chennai raced to 1-75 on the back of Ali's powerful hitting. The Englishman clobbered 26 runs in one Trent Boult over - a first-ball six followed by five fours.

But Chennai's struggling middle order was tied down by Ashwin and IPL leading wicket-taker Yuzvendra Chahal (2-26). Fast bowler Obed McCoy picked up 2-20, including Ali caught at long off in the last over.

Jos Buttler, the only IPL batter with more than 600 runs, fell for only two in the second over of Rajasthan's chase, but his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal made a fine 59 before being caught in the deep in the 15th over.

Ashwin, who smashed three sixes and two fours, scored the bulk of the runs in an unbroken 39-run sixth-wicket stand with Riyan Parag which took the game away from Chennai.

Australian Associated Press