by Rajasthan Royals Outsmart RCB in Clinical Chase to Reach Qualifier 2
The dream run for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024 came to an abrupt end yesterday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Chasing a modest target of 173 runs set by RCB, Rajasthan Royals (RR) cruised to a comfortable four-wicket victory, booking their place in Qualifier 2.
Opting to bowl first, RR captain Sanju Samson’s decision proved to be a masterstroke. Their spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal choked the flow of RCB runs, picking up two wickets each and restricting them to a below-par total. While Virat Kohli (33) and Rajat Patidar (34) provided some resistance, RCB’s batting lineup faltered against RR’s disciplined bowling attack.
Chasing a relatively small target, RR openers Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Yashasvi Jaiswal got them off to a solid start. However, a mini-collapse saw them lose three wickets in quick succession, putting a slight scare into the RR camp. But the experienced Shimron Hetmyer (26) and the explosive Rovman Powell (24*) steadied the ship and ensured a smooth chase. Powell, in particular, finished the match in style with a six in the 19th over, sealing the victory for RR.
This win highlights the well-rounded performance by RR. Their bowlers, especially the spinners, exposed RCB’s batting vulnerabilities. Chasing, their openers provided a strong foundation, while the middle-order batsmen displayed composure under pressure to secure the win.
For RCB, the defeat marks a disappointing end to their impressive run in the tournament. Their batting, usually a strong point, failed to click against a disciplined RR bowling attack. They will now have to turn their attention to the next season, aiming to learn from their shortcomings.
Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after this clinical performance. They now have a chance to book their place in the IPL 2024 final against the winner of the Eliminator match.
