In a remarkable display of resilience and skill, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the crucial Eliminator match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This gripping encounter took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, propelling RR into Qualifier 2. They will face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai with the hopes of progressing to the final.
The match kicked off with RR winning the toss and opting to bowl, a decision that soon proved strategic as they skillfully contained the RCB batting lineup. Despite promising starts from several RCB batters, none managed to capitalize and convert their innings into significant scores. This was largely due to the disciplined bowling attack from RR, which kept chipping away at RCB’s momentum.
Setting the tone for the innings was Trent Boult, who delivered a scintillating spell with the new ball. Boult was incredibly economical, giving away just six runs in his three overs, while also claiming the prized wicket of RCB’s Faf du Plessis for a mere 17 runs. His dismissal was a key moment, as it further dented RCB’s confidence.
At the other end of the crease, Sandeep Sharma leaked 12 runs in the second over, but Avesh Khan managed to pull things back in the fourth, albeit initially with a six from Virat Kohli. Boult’s mastery continued into the fifth over, where he induced a critical mistake from du Plessis, leading to a well-executed catch by Rovman Powell.
RCB’s Cameron Green was sent in at No. 3, ahead of Rajat Patidar, and by the end of the powerplay, RCB had reached 50 for one. Yuzvendra Chahal then made his entrance in the eighth over, leading to yet another breakthrough. With an attempt to escalate RCB’s scoring rate, Kohli attempted a mid-wicket swat only to be caught out on 33, marking yet another crucial RR success.
As the match progressed, a back-and-forth battle ensued. Green took the offensive against Chahal, while Patidar focused on playing himself in. Meanwhile, R Ashwin delivered an invaluable spell during the middle overs, maintaining pressure from his end, which inevitably resulted in ill-advised shots from the RCB batters.
This pressure proved too much for Green and Patidar.
. Green misjudged a cover shot, giving Powell another catch, while Patidar was claimed by Avesh Khan with a mid-off catch — getting dismissed for 34 in the 15th over. Dinesh Karthik entered the fray and faced a contentious leg-before decision which was overturned by the third-umpire.
RCB’s innings found a silver lining with the aggressive stroke play of Mahipal Lomror, who helped push RCB beyond the 160-run mark with a lightning-quick 32 off 17 balls. The final flourish saw Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma contribute key boundaries, enabling RCB to post 172 on the board.
As RR embarked on their chase, the RCB bowlers initially gained some movement off the wicket, taming RR’s openers in the opening overs. However, the dynamic Yashaswi Jaiswal quickly found his footing in the third over, slashing four boundaries off Yash Dayal, capitalizing on a missed chance at slip.
RR’s momentum was duly sparked, leading to a vital 46-run opening partnership. RCB found some solace when Lockie Ferguson dismantled Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s stumps with a slower ball delivery, dismissing him for 20.
Sanju Samson alongside Jaiswal maintained the required run rate, finding crucial gaps and boundary shots with finesse. Jaiswal, nearing his half-century, briefly faltered with a failed scoop shot, caught behind for a scratchy dismissal. Soon after, Samson prematurely advanced down the wicket to Karn only to be stumped off a wide, contributing 17 to the chase.
The responsibility of steering the RR innings was shouldered by Riyan Parag, who, despite a brief scare with Dhruv Jurel’s remarkable run-out by a Kohli throw, steadied the innings in tandem with Shimron Hetmyer, RR’s Impact Player.
With 48 needed from the final five overs, Hetmyer began the assault with a towering six off Cameron Green. Parag added zest with a cover drive for six, followed by a precision-guided four through third-man. The stage seemed set for RR, as the required rate diminished.
Despite Siraj’s late intervention, dismissing Parag for 36 and Hetmyer for 26, RR was in the ascendancy, reducing the target to a simple run-a-ball equation. Rovman Powell held his nerve to carry RR home with two impressive fours and a vital six, sealing the win in the penultimate over.
With this triumphant performance, Rajasthan Royals advance to face Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai, carrying forward the hope and excitement into the concluding stages of the IPL 2024.