DUBAI: Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata thrashed Rajasthan by 86 runs on Thursday to take a firm grip on the fourth and final spot in the Indian Premier League playoffs.
Shubman Gill hit a 44 ball 56 as Kolkata stormed to 171 for four in Sharjah. Shivam Mavi then took four wickets for 21 off just 19 balls as Rajasthan collapsed to 85 all out in 16.1 overs.
Reigning champions Mumbai could equal Kolkata’s 14 points if they beat Hyderabad in their final league game on Friday.
But they would need a winning margin of 171 runs to clinch a playoff place with table toppers Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore.
Gill and Venkatesh Iyer (38) put on 79 for the first wicket to put Kolkata on the road to an imposing score.
Rahul Tripathi, made 21 off 14 balls, while Dinesh Karthik (14) and Morgan (13) all scored quick runs in the death overs.