IPL 2024: Abhishek Sharma breaks into top-10 Orange Cap contenders with stellar performance against PBKS; Virat Kohli maintains lead

Virat Kohli is still leading the Orange Cap race in IPL 2024 with 708 runs. Abhishek Sharma from Sunrisers Hyderabad has entered the top five after an impressive 66 off 28 balls against Punjab Kings. Despite only one match on Sunday, the top five didn't change much. Travis Head, who is in third place, got out on the first ball he faced. Riyan Parag of Rajasthan Royals holds the fourth spot with 531 runs. Among the playoff teams, Sanju Samson (7th), Abhishek Sharma (9th), and Sunil Narine (10th) are still in the race for the Orange Cap.

Playoff standings and matches

Rajasthan Royals' last league game against Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out, leaving RR in third place behind Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Kolkata Knight Riders topped the league with 20 points from nine wins and two washouts. SRH and RR both ended with 17 points, but SRH's Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.414 was better than RR's 0.273. This result means KKR will face SRH in the first Qualifier in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. The Eliminator match will see Rajasthan Royals take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venue.

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Season highlights and challenges

Rajasthan Royals started the season strong, winning eight of their first nine matches. However, they lost momentum in the second half, losing four games in a row. The absence of key player Jos Buttler during important matches also hurt their performance. They now face a tough challenge against a resurgent Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have been powerful with their batting throughout the season, using the 'Impact Sub' rule effectively. Their remarkable chase of 215 against Punjab Kings, which they finished with five balls to spare, highlighted their batting strength and helped them secure a playoff spot while boosting their NRR at a crucial time.

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In conclusion, as the playoffs approach, teams are gearing up for intense matches. Rajasthan Royals need to overcome their late-season slump, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to continue their strong performance. The race for the Orange Cap remains competitive, with several top players still in contention.