RCB vs RR – May 22, 2024 | A brilliant all-round performance helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) secure a thrilling victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by four wickets in the Eliminator of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, was a nail-biting encounter that saw RR advance to Qualifier 2, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Chennai.
Toss and First Innings | RCB vs RR
Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, RR aimed to capitalize on any early moisture in the pitch. RCB’s innings showed glimpses of a promising total as several batters got off to good starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores. Every time RCB seemed to build momentum, RR’s bowlers struck back to keep them in check.
Trent Boult was exceptional with the new ball, conceding only six runs in his first three overs and dismissing RCB captain Faf du Plessis for 17. Sandeep Sharma’s second over was more expensive, giving away 12 runs, but Avesh Khan managed to pull things back by getting welcomed with a six from Virat Kohli in the fourth over.
Boult’s breakthrough came in the fifth over when du Plessis attempted to go over mid-wicket, only to find Rovman Powell, who took a sharp catch diving forward. Cameron Green was promoted to No. 3 ahead of Rajat Patidar, and RCB finished the powerplay at 50 for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal was introduced in the eighth over, and Kohli, aiming to accelerate the scoring rate, holed out to mid-wicket for 33, giving RR a significant breakthrough. The innings then saw a see-saw battle with Green attacking Chahal while Patidar took his time to settle. R Ashwin’s crucial spell in the middle overs kept the run flow in check and increased the pressure on RCB.
Middle Overs
Green, after a promising start, was caught at cover by Powell off Avesh Khan for 27 in the 13th over. The very next ball, Glenn Maxwell attempted a big shot but only managed to hit it to long-on, where he was comfortably caught. RCB found themselves at 97 for four in 13 overs, struggling to build a substantial partnership.
Patidar tried to regain momentum with two sixes in quick succession, but Avesh Khan struck again, dismissing Patidar for 34 in the 15th over. Dinesh Karthik, walking in next, survived a close leg-before appeal that was overturned by the third umpire.
Slog Overs
Mahipal Lomror’s aggressive batting in the slog overs was crucial for RCB. His 32 off 17 balls ensured RCB crossed the 160-mark. Contributions from Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma in the final over pushed the total to a competitive 172, setting RR a challenging target.
Second Innings
The RCB bowlers started well, extracting help from the wicket and keeping the RR batters quiet in the first two overs. However, Yashaswi Jaiswal broke the shackles in the third over, hitting four fours off Yash Dayal. One of these was a tough chance that the first slip dropped. The openers added a steady 46 before Lockie Ferguson bowled a slower ball to dismiss Tom Kohler-Cadmore for 20 in the fifth over.
Sanju Samson and Jaiswal maintained the required run rate, finding boundaries at regular intervals. Jaiswal, in his 40s, attempted a scoop shot against Green but edged it to the wicketkeeper. Soon after, Karn Sharma stumped Samson off a wide ball for 17, putting RR in a slightly precarious position.
Lower Order Resilience
The pressure now fell on Riyan Parag, who needed to anchor the chase. Despite a brilliant run-out of Dhruv Jurel by Kohli, Parag remained calm and, along with Shimron Hetmyer, the Impact Player, made a calculated assault on the RCB bowlers. With five overs remaining, RR required 48 runs. Hetmyer hit a six over long-on off the first ball by Green, and Parag followed with a six over cover and a four through third-man, bringing the required rate down significantly.
Hetmyer’s experience shone through as he absorbed the pressure and kept the scoreboard ticking. Although Siraj managed to dismiss both Parag (36 off 26) and Hetmyer (26 off 14), the equation had simplified to a run-a-ball.
Player of the Match
- Ravichandran Ashwin was named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance, scoring 0 runs and taking 2 wickets for 19 runs in 4.0 overs.
Bowling Performances in RCB vs RR
- R Ashwin bowled a crucial spell in the middle overs, keeping a check on the runs.
- Avesh Khan got the breakthrough by dismissing Patidar.
- RR’s bowlers consistently picked up wickets to dent RCB’s momentum.
Result:
- In the first innings, RCB scored 172 runs for 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
- In the second innings, RR chased down the target, scoring 174 runs for 6 wickets in just 19 overs.
- RR won by four wickets, with R. Ashwin being named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
Scorecard of RCB vs RR Match
- Inning-1 Batting Details:
- V Kohli: 33 runs (24 balls) with 3 fours and 1 six.
- F Plessis: 17 runs (14 balls) with 2 fours and 1 six.
- C Green: 27 runs (21 balls) with 2 fours and 1 six.
- R Patidar: 34 runs (22 balls) with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
- M Lomror: 32 runs (17 balls) with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
- D Karthik: 11 runs (13 balls) with 1 four.
- S Singh: 9 runs (4 balls) with 1 six.
- K Sharma: 5 runs (4 balls) with 1 four.
- Inning-1 Bowling Details:
- T Boult: 4.0 overs, 16 runs, 1 wicket.
- S Sharma: 4.0 overs, 48 runs, 1 wicket.
- A Khan: 4.0 overs, 44 runs, 3 wickets.
- R Ashwin: 4.0 overs, 19 runs, 2 wickets.
- Y Chahal: 4.0 overs, 43 runs, 1 wicket.
Conclusion | RCB vs RR
Rovman Powell ensured there were no more hiccups, finishing the match in style with two fours and a six. His quickfire knock brought RR home in the penultimate over, securing a memorable win by four wickets in this high-stakes encounter of RCB vs RR.
This victory propels RR to Qualifier 2, where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai. For RCB, it was another season of ‘so close yet so far,’ as their quest for a maiden IPL title continues. The match highlighted the importance of all-round performances and calmness under pressure, attributes that RR displayed in abundance.
Key Performances and Turning Points in RCB vs RR
- Trent Boult’s Early Spell: Boult’s initial spell was crucial in setting the tone for RR. His dismissal of Faf du Plessis ensured that RCB couldn’t capitalize on a strong start.
- Middle Over Pressure by R Ashwin: Ashwin’s economical and strategic bowling in the middle overs kept RCB from accelerating, leading to wickets as the batters tried to take risks.
- Shimron Hetmyer and Riyan Parag’s Partnership: This partnership was pivotal in shifting the momentum in RR’s favor. Their calculated aggression and timely boundaries eased the pressure and brought RR closer to victory.
- Fielding Excellence: Key moments, such as Kohli’s run-out of Dhruv Jurel, showcased RCB’s sharpness in the field, but it wasn’t enough to stop the determined RR chase.
- Rovman Powell’s Finish: Powell’s composure in the end ensured that RR crossed the finish line without any further drama, highlighting the depth in their batting lineup.
Looking Ahead
As RR move on to face KKR in Qualifier 2, they will need to maintain their form and confidence. The team has shown resilience and depth, which will be crucial against a formidable KKR side. RCB, on the other hand, will need to reflect on their campaign and address the areas that led to their downfall in this crucial match.
The TATA IPL 2024 has once again delivered a thrilling contest in the RCB vs RR Eliminator, proving why it remains one of the most exciting and unpredictable cricket leagues in the world. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the next clash as the tournament heads towards its climax.
