DUBAI: Captain KL Rahul smashed an unbeaten 98 off 42 balls and helped Punjab Kings retain slim Indian Premier League playoff hopes after beating Chennai Super Kings by six wickets on Thursday.
Punjab sat fifth in the standings, and to make the top four needed Kolkata Knight Riders to lose heavily to Rajasthan Royals late Thursday and defending champions Mumbai Indians to lose their last group game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.
Despite defeat on Thursday, Chennai were certain to finish among the top two.
Tournament top-scorer Rahul just missed a maiden century in this IPL but hammered eight sixes and seven boundaries to overhaul Chennai’s 134-6 with 139-4 and seven overs to spare. Punjab moved ahead of Mumbai on net run rate.
Rahul has hit six half-centuries and scored 626 runs at an impressive average of 62.60 in the tournament.
Fast bowlers Deepak Chahar (1-48) and Dwayne Bravo (0-32) were smacked for 80 runs off six overs as Rahul unleahed an array of shots.
Earlier, after being sent into bat, Chennai’s top order crumbled against seamers Chris Jordan (2-20) and Arshdeep Singh (2-35).
Faf du Plessis made 76 off 55 balls and Ravindra Jadeja 15. They combined in a 67-run partnership after Chennai was 61-5 in the 12th over when legspinner Ravi Bishnoi clean-bowled captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for 12.
KL Rahul smashes 98 in Punjab win over Chennai in IPL
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KL Rahul smashes 98 in Punjab win over Chennai in IPL
- Tournament top-scorer Rahul just missed a maiden century in this IPL but hammered eight sixes and seven boundaries
Man City close to Guehi signing: Palace boss Glasner
- City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth $27m after suffering an acute injury crisis at center-half
- “Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said
LONDON: Manchester City are in the “final stages” of completing a deal for England defender Marc Guehi, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Friday.
City have stepped up their pursuit of Guehi in a deal reportedly worth £20 million ($27 million) after suffering an acute injury crisis at center-half.
Guehi, who came close to joining Liverpool on transfer deadline day in September, would become City’s second signing of the January transfer window after their capture of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth last week for about £65 million.
The 25-year-old captained Palace to FA Cup success in May against City — the first major trophy in the south London club’s history — and has won 26 England caps.
Other clubs reportedly interested in the defender, including Liverpool once again and Bayern Munich, were understood to be targeting a move at the end of the season, when Guehi was due to be a free agent.
“Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner said on the eve of Palace’s Premier League match at Sunderland.
“We can’t confirm, but it is not done. The result is Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us.”
The Palace boss added: “When the players want to move on, a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now.
“Everyone wanted Marc to stay forever. I talked to him, of course, it stays between us. Marc showed it in the summer transfer window, showed it the whole autumn that he was 100 percent committed to the team and to Crystal Palace.
“I wish him all the best for the rest of his career. He is still at the beginning of his great career. He is a fantastic guy.”
City manager Pep Guardiola stressed he had “nothing to say” about the potential transfer at his own press conference ahead of his side’s match at Manchester United.
The club are currently without senior center-backs John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol due to injury, while Nathan Ake has struggled to play more than once a week due to fitness issues.
Guardiola, whose team are second in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal, said the club were “in a difficult situation for not one game but a long, long period,” adding: “Ruben will be back soon. Josko, no. John, hopefully we’ll see.”
City are also still challenging for silverware in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Glasner also said Friday he would leave Palace when his own contract expired at the end of the season.
