Gujarat out of IPL play-off race after washout

Gujarat Titans have been knocked out of the playoff race after rain forced their IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders to be abandoned without a ball bowled in Ahmedabad.

The two teams took one point each, confirming a top-two finish for table-toppers Kolkata, who remain the only side already qualified for the next stage.

Kolkata finished in the top two in the league stage the last two times, and they went on to win the tournament in 2012 and 2014.

The top four teams will make the playoffs, but the first and second-placed sides have the advantage of two chances to qualify for the final on May 26 in Chennai.

The unseasonal rain in Ahmedabad left thousands of fans disappointed at the world’s biggest cricket stadium.

The rain was unrelenting for close to five hours, and the two captains eventually shook hands without even going for the toss.

Shubman Gill-led Gujarat, who won the IPL in their debut season in 2022 under Hardik Pandya, joined Mumbai Indians and bottom-placed Punjab Kings to be out of the title race.

Kolkata, led by Shreyas Iyer, has been the team to beat in this edition.

With 10 wins and 19 points in 13 matches, it has stayed ahead of second-placed Rajasthan Royals.

Six teams, including defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, are in the hunt for the remaining three spots in the play-offs.