Rajasthan Royals certainly need to thank the Delhi Capitals for the favour they did by beating Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday. It was the Capitals’ win over Lucknow which confirmed the Royals’ place in the playoffs.

Without that, their place in the last-four stage would still not be confirmed as the Royals suffered their fourth straight defeat in this IPL. This time to the lowly-ranked and already-ousted Punjab Kings, who beat them by five wickets at Barsapara in Guwahati — the Royals’ second home — on Wednesday.

Following this defeat, the Royals can now finish the league phase with a maximum of 18 points if they can trump Kolkata Knight Riders (on 19 points) at Barsapara on Sunday. Yet, they may not finish second in the standings. For, Sunrisers Hyderabad, who can finish on 18 if they win both their remaining matches, have a superior net run rate than the Royals.

At the same time, the Knight Riders are confirmed of finishing the league stage on top.

On a tricky surface at Barsapara, the Royals batters struggled once again showing barely any application as they were able to post just a 144/9 after opting to bat first. Agreed, the pitch was on the slower side and the ball wasn’t quite coming on to the bat too well. Punjab bowlers, too, didn’t offer much width or room.

Guwahati: Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag plays a shot during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 T20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings PTI

Thereafter, in spite of having Punjab reeling at 48/4 after eight overs, the Royals bowlers couldn’t close the game out. Stand-in skipper Sam Curran (63 not out off 41 balls), starring with the ball (2/24) earlier with the prized wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal, maintained his composure and stitched a crucial 63-run stand with Jitesh Sharma (22 off 20 balls) that laid the foundation of Punjab’s consolation win with seven balls to spare.

Going into the playoffs, batting seems to be a serious concern for the Royals.