In a pulsating contest that saw momentum swing like a pendulum, Rajasthan Royals held their nerve to stop Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fairytale run with a four-wicket win in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.
Opting to bowl first, the Royals’ experienced bowlers, Trent Boult and R. Ashwin, delivered superb performances. Boult’s figures of 4-0-16-1 and Ashwin’s 4-0-19-2 were instrumental in restricting RCB to 172 for eight.
Chasing a target of 173, Royals started cautiously but soon picked up pace. Yashasvi Jaiswal (45) and Tom Kohler-Cadmore (20) hit a flurry of boundaries off Yash Dayal, building a solid 46-run partnership for the opening wicket.
Sanju Samson added to the momentum by pulling Swapnil Singh for a six, while Jaiswal hit two more boundaries, putting RR in a strong position by scoring 27 runs in the two overs following the PowerPlay.
RCB, however, fought back by taking three quick wickets, with Cameron Green bowling a tidy spell. The game took another twist in Green’s final over as Riyan Parag (36) and Shimron Hetmyer (26) hit 17 runs, changing the course of the match. The duo, coming together when RR was precariously placed at 112 for four, stitched a crucial 45-run partnership off just 25 balls.
Mohammed Siraj managed to keep the game alive for RCB, but the momentum had shifted decisively in favor of the Royals. Despite the pressure, Rajasthan Royals chased down the target with four wickets and two balls to spare, securing their place in the next stage of the tournament.
This thrilling victory marks the end of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s impressive campaign in IPL 2024, while Rajasthan Royals advance with renewed confidence. The match highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where a single over can change the fortunes of the game.
