IPL: Mumbai Indians retain No. 1 spot despite Sunday’s loss

Steve Smith’s Rajasthan Royals recorded an eight-wicket win over Indian Premier League leader Mumbai Indians on Sunday.

At Dubai, Chennai Super Kings thumped playoffs contender Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets.

The win for Rajasthan Royals Royals knocked the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings out of the final-four race despite their win on Sunday.

The qualifiers begin on Nov.  5. The top two will clash in the first qualifier in Dubai, while the third and fourth-placed teams meet in the eliminator on Nov. 6 in Abu Dhabi.

Rajasthan  Royals  are in sixth place with 10 points and still in with a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

Despite its defeat, Mumbai Indians retain the No. 1 spot after 11 games with 14 points on a better net run-rate than Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore Bangalore, who also have 14 points each —  in the fight for a place in the top two.

Chennai Super Kings restricted  Royal Challengers Bangalore to 145 for six despite an attacking 82-run third-wicket stand between Virat Kohli, who made 50, and AB de Villiers.