Rajasthan Royals ended Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s thrilling run in the Indian Premier League with a tense four-wicket victory in the Eliminator in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. After a disciplined bowling performance that restricted RCB to 172/8, RR batsmen overcame a mid-innings wobble to chase down the target with an over to spare. This win propels Rajasthan into the Qualifier against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Friday for a place in the IPL2024 final.
Riyan Parag and Rovman Powell Shine in the Chase
Riyan Parag (36 off 26 balls) once again showcased his calmness under pressure, steering Rajasthan Royals towards the target. Parag’s composed innings came at a crucial juncture when RR’s middle order faltered. Rovman Powell (16 not out) provided the finishing touches in a tense finish, hitting two boundaries in the penultimate over to seal the victory.
Early Scare as Top Order Wobbles
Chasing 173, Rajasthan Royals got off to a steady start, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 off 30 balls). Despite an unconvincing beginning, with several edges, Jaiswal found his rhythm and played some delightful shots. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (20) also contributed before falling to Lockie Ferguson’s clever slower yorker.
Jaiswal’s dismissal to Cameron Green after an on-field treatment for exhaustion marked a turning point, as he attempted a ramp shot only to glove it to the wicketkeeper. Sanju Samson (17) soon followed, stumped off Karn Sharma, adding to RR’s woes.
Middle-Order Struggles
With Dhruv Jurel (8) being run out after a brilliant piece of fielding by Virat Kohli, RR were in a precarious position. Kohli’s sharp throw from deep midwicket found Jurel short of his crease, putting Rajasthan under immense pressure.
Shimron Hetmyer (26 off 14 balls) then joined forces with Parag. Their aggressive approach against Cameron Green, who had bowled three economical overs, yielded 17 runs in an over, tilting the momentum back in Rajasthan’s favor.
Bowlers Set the Stage
Earlier, Rajasthan’s bowlers laid the foundation for the win. Trent Boult’s (4-0-16-1) superb opening spell, supported by Ravichandran Ashwin (4-0-19-2), stifled RCB’s top order. Ashwin’s consecutive wickets of Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell were pivotal in breaking RCB’s momentum.
Avesh Khan (3/44) also played a crucial role, picking up key wickets despite being expensive. The fielding was sharp, with Rovman Powell taking two stunning catches that hindered RCB’s progress.
RCB’s Struggle to Build Partnerships
RCB’s innings never really took off, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Despite contributions from Faf du Plessis (35) and Virat Kohli (39), they couldn’t build substantial partnerships. The middle order crumbled under pressure from Rajasthan’s disciplined bowling.
A Tense Finish
As the chase neared its conclusion, Mohammed Siraj (2/33) raised RCB’s hopes with the wickets of Parag and Hetmyer in the 18th over. With 13 runs needed off the last two overs, Powell held his nerve, finding the boundaries off Ferguson to guide his team home.
Looking Ahead to the Qualifier
With this victory, Rajasthan Royals set up a clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier. The team will be looking to carry this momentum forward and secure a spot in the IPL2024 final.
Rajasthan Royals showcased resilience and composure to end Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s dream run in IPL2024. Key performances from Riyan Parag, Rovman Powell, and their bowlers ensured they stayed in the hunt for the title. As they prepare to face Sunrisers Hyderabad, RR will aim to build on this hard-fought victory and continue their journey towards IPL glory.
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