Rajasthan Royals (RR) outperformed the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a thrilling Eliminator clash of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Fueled by an exceptional all-round team display, the Royals secured a commanding four-wicket win, paving their way to the Qualifier 2 where they will meet the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai.
The high-stakes encounter began with Rajasthan Royals opting to bowl first after winning the toss. This decision soon paid dividends as the Royals’ bowlers persistently disrupted the momentum of RCB’s batsmen. The Bangalore side’s innings was characterized by several promising starts that failed to evolve into substantial contributions, partially due to RR’s strategic bowling interventions at key moments.
Signaling RR’s intent was Trent Boult, who delivered an impressive spell with the new ball, conceding just six runs across three overs and claiming the crucial wicket of RCB captain, Faf du Plessis, who departed for 17. At the opposite end, Sandeep Sharma encountered a challenging second over, yielding 12 runs. Soon after, Avesh Khan was introduced in the fourth over and was greeted with a commanding six from Virat Kohli. Nevertheless, Boult struck again, dispatching du Plessis in the fifth over, caught skillfully by Rovman Powell.
Cameron Green was sent in ahead of Rajat Patidar at No 3, with RCB concluding the powerplay at a modest 50 for one. Yuzvendra Chahal’s introduction in the eighth over proved pivotal, as Kohli, in pursuit of amplifying the run-rate, fell for 33, mistiming a shot to mid-wicket. This was a significant breakthrough for RR, and the following exchanges were marked by a series of gritty battles.
While Green initiated pressure on Chahal, Patidar cautiously sought rhythm. Concurrently, R Ashwin executed a vital middle-overs spell, throttling the run rate from the opposite end. This mounting pressure prompted errant shot selections from the RCB batsmen. Patidar enjoyed a temporary reprieve following a drop at long-on, yet Green, attempting an aggressive stroke in the 13th over, was caught by Powell, contributing 27 runs off 21 balls. Glenn Maxwell fell immediately after, caught comfortably at long-on, leaving RCB faltering at 97 for four.
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Patidar shifted gears shortly thereafter, striking two sixes within seven balls to seemingly restore RCB’s innings, until Avesh Khan secured his dismissal in the 15th over for 34. Dinesh Karthik faced an immediate scare off his first delivery, successfully overturned on review. The slog overs were dominated by Mahipal Lomror’s brisk 32 from 17 balls, driving RCB to 172, with final touches added by Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma.
As RR commenced their chase, the early overs suggested RCB bowlers had adapted well to the pitch conditions, keeping Rajasthan’s openers in check. The breakthrough came for RCB in the third over when Yashaswi Jaiswal lashed four boundaries despite a chance being dropped at first slip, accelerating RR’s tempo significantly and pairing a 46-run partnership. Lockie Ferguson’s clever slower ball in the fifth over bowled Tom Kohler-Cadmore for 20, RCB’s first wicket.
Captains Sanju Samson and Jaiswal matched the required run rate with a flurry of boundaries, before Jaiswal, on 40s, was caught feathering an attempted scoop. Samson too perished, stumped after a charge against Sharma’s delivery for 17.
The onus of the chase then fell to Riyan Parag, tasked with steering the innings after Dhruv Jurel’s unfortunate run-out, a brilliant endeavour orchestrated by Kohli. Parag, alongside Shimron Hetmyer, the designated Impact Player, clinically dismantled the pressure surrounding the run chase.
With 48 needed off 30 balls, Hetmyer capitalized instantly with a lofty six. Parag followed suit, strategically piercing the field with boundaries. This tactical display dissolved RCB’s command over the match situation. Despite a momentary scare as Siraj dismissed both Parag (36 off 26) and Hetmyer (26 off 14), the equation reduced to a run-a-ball. Rovman Powell ensured RR crossed the finish line in style, dispatching the ball for two fours and a six, securing victory in the penultimate over.
The focus now shifts to Chennai, where Rajasthan Royals will confront the formidable Kolkata Knight Riders in their quest for IPL 2024 glory.