In the high-stakes atmosphere of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Eliminator held at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Rajasthan Royals (RR) clinched a sensational victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), sealing a hard-fought triumph by four wickets. This win propels RR into Qualifier 2, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Chennai, keeping their hopes alive for the coveted IPL trophy.
On winning the toss, RR elected to bowl, setting the stage for what would be a tight, seesaw contest. RCB, eager to establish a formidable target, showed early promise with several batters making confident starts. However, they were unable to build on these starts, with none of the key players able to convert their aggressive beginnings into a substantial innings. Time and again, just as momentum seemed to swing RCB’s way, the diligent RR bowling attack made critical breakthroughs to curtail their progress.
Trent Boult was instrumental in RR’s early success, delivering an exceptional opening spell. He was markedly economical, allowing a meager six runs over his first three overs while managing to oust the formidable Faf du Plessis for 17 runs. On the other hand, Sandeep Sharma experienced contrasting fortunes, conceding 12 runs in the second over. Virat Kohli, entering with intent, welcomed Avesh Khan into the attack with a powerful pull for six in the fourth over. Nevertheless, Boult’s dismissal of du Plessis in the fifth over, caught by Rovman Powell diving forward in the deep, was pivotal in keeping the opposition in check.
In a twist, Cameron Green was promoted to the number three position ahead of Rajat Patidar, and the team finished the powerplay with a tally of 50 for one. RCB appeared to regain some of their rhythm but were soon pegged back when Kohli, attempting a brisk pace against Yuzvendra Chahal in the eighth over, holed out to mid-wicket for 33—a significant breakthrough for RR that shifted the momentum yet again.
As RCB grappled to maintain a steady run-rate, R Ashwin delivered an imposing spell in the middle overs, suppressing the run flow and imposing pressure that led to rash shot selections. A nerve-wracking moment ensued when Patidar was given a lifeline, having been dropped by the long-on fielder. Despite this, Green could not capitalize, falling to Powell’s catch, and Maxwell was caught soon after, leaving RCB at a precarious 97 for four in the 13th over.
Patidar briefly rekindled hopes for RCB with two enormous sixes, building momentum, but Avesh Khan’s timely intervention in the 15th over saw Patidar’s downfall for 34.
. Dinesh Karthik’s subsequent arrival was met with an intense appeal for leg-before, only for the decision to be overturned by the third umpire.
As the innings approached the denouement, Mahipal Lomror came into his own, playing an aggressive inning of 32 from just 17 balls, propelling RCB to a respectable score. Crucial late boundaries by Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma edged the team to a total of 172, setting the stage for a thrilling run chase.
The RCB bowlers initially stifled the RR openers, with a quiet start for the first couple of overs. Yashaswi Jaiswal’s burst in the third over, replete with four boundaries off Yash Dayal, set the tone for the innings. A critical turning point occurred when Tom Kohler-Cadmore fell to a neat slower delivery from Lockie Ferguson in the fifth over, with the score at 46.
Despite this, Sanju Samson and Jaiswal kept the required rate in check. As RR inched towards the halfway mark, Jaiswal, in the 40s, attempted a cheeky scoop but only managed a slight edge to the keeper, leaving RR with rebuilding to do. Shortly after, Samson’s charging attempt against Karn Sharma ended in a stumping on a wide, leaving RR at a crossroad.
The onus fell on Riyan Parag to steer the chase forward. A tense moment occurred with Dhruv Jurel’s run-out, thanks to Kohli’s stunning fielding effort. However, Parag, showcasing remarkable composure, together with Shimron Hetmyer, embarked on a calculated counter-attack.
With 48 needed off the last five overs, Hetmyer’s audacious six off Green, followed by Parag’s elegant six, swung the game firmly RR’s way. Even though RCB found pockets of resistance with Siraj removing both Parag (36 off 26) and Hetmyer (26 off 14 balls), the chase was brought down to a run-a-ball scenario. Rovman Powell sealed the victory in a flourish, dispatching two fours and a six, completing the win in the penultimate over.
The focus now shifts to Chennai, where RR aim to continue their journey towards IPL glory, boosted by this emphatic win against RCB.