RCB secure top spot in IPL despite heavy defeat
[Reuters] Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a top-two finish in the Indian Premier League despite a 55-run defeat by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Both sides had already secured a play-off spot before the match, but a top-two spot - and the opportunity to play in Qualifier 1 to reach the final - was on the line. Sunrisers posted 255-4 with half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma (56 off 22), Ishan Kishan (79 off 46) and Heinrich Klaasen (51 off 24).
That meant that RCB needed at least 166 to finish in the top two and they posted 200-4 to claim top spot and set up a tie against Gujarat Giants. Venkatesh Iyer made 44 after being promoted to the top of the order in place of the injured Jacob Bethell , but Virat Kohli - who was playing in a record 281st IPL game - was out for just 15. Captain Rajat Patidar hit 56, while Eshan Malinga - the tournament's fourth-highest wicket-taker - again impressed with 2-33.
Sunrisers finish third and will find out who they play over the weekend when the league phase's final games are played. IPL fixtures IPL table [BBC]