At the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, cricket enthusiasts were treated to a pulsating display as Rajasthan Royals (RR) emerged victorious by four wickets against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Eliminator of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This win not only marked a significant triumph for RR but also secured them a place in Qualifier 2, where they are slated to face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai.
The match commenced with RR winning the toss and electing to bowl, a decision that proved tactically astute as the game progressed. RCB, sent in to bat first, demonstrated early promise with several batsmen making confident starts. However, they struggled to convert these into substantial scores due to RR’s incisive bowling attack consistently breaking their momentum.
Trent Boult set the tone with a masterful spell of swing bowling, giving away just six runs in his three overs and claiming the crucial wicket of RCB captain Faf du Plessis, who scored 17. Despite Sandeep Sharma leaking 12 runs in the second over, Boult’s dismissal of du Plessis came as a significant setback for RCB, who managed a respectable 50 for one at the end of the powerplay.
Virat Kohli, opening for RCB, started strongly but was soon caught at mid-wicket off a delivery by Yuzvendra Chahal, departing for 33. This was a pivotal moment as it sparked a series of mini-collapses for RCB. Cameron Green, batting at number three, tried to stabilize the innings alongside Rajat Patidar. However, R Ashwin’s restrictive bowling in the middle overs kept the pressure on, eventually suffocating the run flow.
Green fell for 27 in the 13th over, caught by Rovman Powell at cover off a delivery from Avesh Khan. Glenn Maxwell, aggressive by nature, also succumbed quickly, caught at long-on in the very next ball, leaving RCB adrift at 97 for four. Patidar aimed to anchor the innings but eventually holed out for 34 in the 15th over.
Dinesh Karthik, who followed, had a narrow escape with a leg-before decision overturned by the third umpire. It was, however, Mahipal Lomror’s brisk innings that provided some late impetus.
. Lomror’s 32 off 17 balls pushed RCB past the 160-mark, with Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma’s contributions ensuring a final total of 172.
RR’s run chase began cautiously with the wickets appearing to favor the bowlers. Yashaswi Jaiswal opened up in the third over, striking four boundaries in Yash Dayal’s over, although one edge was dropped at slip. The solid opening partnership of 46 ended when Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell to a slower ball from Lockie Ferguson in the fifth over.
Sanju Samson, joining Jaiswal, maintained a steady run rate. Jaiswal, nearing his half-century, attempted an audacious scoop against Green and feathered it to the keeper, departing for a well-made 40. Immediately after, Samson faltered, stumped off a wide from Karn Sharma, bringing Riyan Parag to the crease.
Parag, along with Shimron Hetmyer, RR’s Impact Player, spearheaded the charge against the challenging total. Despite the pressure, both batsmen exhibited remarkable composure. Hetmyer, known for his power-hitting abilities, smashed a crucial six over long-on against Green. Parag reciprocated with a six over cover followed by a deft four through third-man, thus alleviating much of the required run rate pressure.
As the target approached, Mohammad Siraj snared both Parag (36 off 26) and Hetmyer (26 off 14 balls), but the task had been substantially simplified. With the equation down to a run-a-ball, Rovman Powell stepped up to ensure there would be no further twists, finishing the match in style with two boundaries and a six in the penultimate over.
The victory was a testament to RR’s all-round performance and tactical nous, setting up an exciting encounter in Chennai against the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Royals now look forward to carrying their momentum into the Qualifier 2, aiming to cement their place in the IPL 2024 final. Over to Chennai for what promises to be another thrilling contest!