A stellar all-round performance saw the Rajasthan Royals (RR) clinch a thrilling victory by four wickets against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the highly dramatic Eliminator clash of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The epic encounter, which took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, assured RR’s progression to Qualifier 2, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai.
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first proved to be a masterstroke for RR. The RCB innings, despite hints of constructing a formidable total, fell short as various batters failed to convert their starts into substantial scores. Each time RCB appeared to gain momentum, RR’s bowlers emerged at critical junctures to claim crucial wickets.
Trent Boult was exceptional with the new ball, delivering a three-over spell that conceded merely six runs and included the prized wicket of Faf du Plessis, who managed a relatively subdued 17. Even as runs flowed from the other end, with Sandeep Sharma conceding 12 in the second over, Boult’s control restricted any early runaway scoring from RCB.
Virat Kohli welcomed Avesh Khan into the attack with a confident pull shot for six, but Boult struck back by dismissing du Plessis in the fifth over. The charging South African’s attempt to clear mid-wicket was thwarted by Rovman Powell’s diving catch in the deep. Cameron Green, coming in at number three, advanced confidently as RCB posted 50 for one at the end of the powerplay.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s introduction in the eighth over immediately paid dividends as Kohli departed for 33, attempting an audacious shot to accelerate the run rate but found himself caught out. This marked a crucial breakthrough for RR, setting off a see-saw battle for dominance. Green began to challenge Chahal, while Rajat Patidar initially struggled to find his rhythm.
With the pressure from R Ashwin’s tight spell in the middle overs, RCB’s batters began to take risks, leading to wickets. Despite a premature reprieve from a dropped catch, Green was eventually caught off Powell’s delivery by cover for 27. In a quick succession, Glenn Maxwell too departed, as he skied a ball to long-on, resulting in RCB teetering at 97 for four by the 13th over.
Rajat Patidar briefly found his touch, smashing two sixes in quick succession, but his vigil was cut short as he holed out to mid-off for 34 in the 15th over, courtesy of Avesh getting yet another key breakthrough. Dinesh Karthik survived an early scare from an LBW appeal but was unable to capitalize.
Mahipal Lomror’s enterprising innings of 32 off 17 balls ensured RCB crossed the 160 mark.
. Late boundary efforts from Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma propelled RCB to a competitive total of 172.
Starting their chase, Rajasthan Royals struggled initially as the RCB bowlers utilized the wicket’s assistance effectively. But Yashaswi Jaiswal broke free in the third over by steering four boundaries from Yash Dayal’s deliveries, including a dropped chance at first slip. RR’s opening stand gathered momentum, contributing 46 runs.
Lockie Ferguson stalled the run flow by dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore for 20 with a deceptive slower ball in the fifth over. Sanju Samson and Jaiswal maintained the chase momentum, but Jaiswal fell for a well-crafted 40’s as he feathered a scoop attempt off Green’s delivery, easy prey for the wicketkeeper.
Samson’s aggressive intent saw him charging Karn Sharma, leading to his stumping for 17 off a wide. Thus, the responsibility hinged on Riyan Parag. Despite a jitter after Dhruv Jurel’s remarkable run-out orchestrated by Kohli’s direct throw, Parag stayed composed. Alongside Shimron Hetmyer, the impact player, they launched a calculated assault on RCB’s bowlers.
With five overs remaining, RR needed 48 from 30 balls. Hetmyer signalled their intent by dispatching Green’s first delivery over long-on for a six. Parag followed suit with a six over cover and guided a four through third-man, shifting the balance firmly in RR’s favor. The required run rate posed no significant challenge thereafter.
Hetmyer, in particular, rose to the occasion after a break from action, calming nerves with his steady batting. Although Mohammed Siraj managed to dismiss Parag and Hetmyer in quick succession, RR needed merely run-a-ball to secure victory. Rovman Powell ensured no further setbacks as he sealed the win with two fours and a six in the penultimate over.
This comprehensive performance ushers RR into the Qualifier 2 in Chennai and leaves RCB to ponder their missed opportunities in this exhilarating Eliminator. The stage is set for another intense contest as Rajasthan Royals continue their pursuit of the coveted IPL trophy.