In a riveting showcase of skill and strategy, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) clinched a significant victory over the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), winning by four wickets in the Eliminator of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Taking place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, this win propels RR into Qualifier 2, where they are set to face the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai.
The match began with RR winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a decision that was soon justified by their disciplined bowling attack. RCB’s innings promised a formidable total as several players began their innings on a strong note. However, the Royals’ bowlers continuously disrupted their momentum, preventing any RCB batsman from building a substantial score.
Trent Boult, in particular, shone with the new ball, delivering a remarkable opening spell. He gave away only six runs across three overs and crucially took the wicket of RCB’s captain, Faf du Plessis, for a modest 17 runs. Runs came easier at the opposite end, particularly in Sandeep Sharma’s second over, which conceded 12 runs. Avesh Khan entered the attack for the fourth over and was greeted by a towering pull shot for six by Virat Kohli. Shortly thereafter, Boult dismissed du Plessis. Attempting a big shot over mid-wicket, du Plessis was caught out by Rovman Powell, who executed a deft catch diving forward.
Cameron Green walked in at number three, foregoing the usual appearance of Rajat Patidar at this spot. By the end of the powerplay, RCB stood at 50 for one, appearing steady yet poised for a potential acceleration. Yuzvendra Chahal was introduced into the attack in the eighth over, presenting a challenge that Kohli ambitiously tried to counter, only to succumb by skying a catch to mid-wicket for 33 runs. This dismissal gave RR a crucial breakthrough, vital to their bowling strategy.
The middle overs presented a fluctuating scenario. Green was proactive against Chahal while Patidar cautiously bided his time, searching for his form. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin delivered a pivotal middle-over spell, effectively containing the run flow from his end and escalating pressure on RCB’s batsmen. The mounting strain prompted RCB’s batsmen into risky shots, leading to Green’s dismissal for 27 as he chipped a catch to Powell at cover. Off the very next delivery, Glenn Maxwell miscued a shot to long-on, facilitating another catch and pushing RCB’s score to 97 for four after 13 overs.
Patidar, who looked to anchor RCB’s innings, fleetingly regained his rhythm with a couple of sixes shortly thereafter.
. Nonetheless, Avesh Khan soon thwarted his innings, dismissing him for 34 in the 15th over as Patidar lofted a catch to mid-off. Upon arriving at the crease, Dinesh Karthik challenged a leg-before dismissal that the third umpire ultimately overturned.
It was during the closing stages, famously known as the slog overs, that Mahipal Lomror injected much-needed aggression into RCB’s innings. His 32 runs off 17 balls was crucial in cementing RCB’s total beyond the 160-mark. Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma added vital boundaries in the final over, steering RCB to a competitive total of 172.
As the chase commenced, RR faced some early challenges due to RCB’s bowlers exploiting the conditions effectively. However, Yashaswi Jaiswal soon cut loose in the third over, plundering four boundaries off Yash Dayal, one involving a narrowly missed chance at first slip. The openers’ partnership added 46 runs before Lockie Ferguson provided RCB their first breakthrough, clean-bowling Tom Kohler-Cadmore with a clever slower delivery for 20 runs.
Skipper Sanju Samson and Jaiswal continued keeping pace with the target, finding boundaries at regular intervals. As Jaiswal approached a personal milestone, he attempted an ambitious scoop shot off Green’s bowling but was caught behind the wicket. Shortly after, Samson’s aggressive attempt against Karn Sharma ended with a stumping as he advanced down the pitch, departing for 17 runs.
With this departure, much depended on Riyan Parag, who admirably took on the responsibility of steering the chase. Even as Dhruv Jurel was spectacularly run-out through a direct hit from Kohli, Parag maintained his composure. He, along with Shimron Hetmyer, leading as the Impact Player, initiated a calculated onslaught against RCB’s bowlers.
With 48 runs needed off the final five overs, Hetmyer targeted Green, sending a soaring six over long-on. Parag contributed by lofting a six over cover and threading a four through third-man. These efforts tipped the match decisively in RR’s favor, with the run rate easing significantly. Hetmyer, returning to the fray after some time away, made his resilience felt, delivering under pressure with seasoned poise.
Despite Mohammed Siraj dismissing Parag and Hetmyer accounting for respective scores of 36 off 26 balls and 26 off 14 balls, RR needed only a run-a-ball to clinch the match. Rovman Powell ensured no further obstacles emerged, finishing the pursuit emphatically with two fours and a six, sealing a notable victory for Rajasthan Royals in the penultimate over.
With that, RR journey to Chennai, eagerly preparing for their encounter with Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 2.