IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals Stay Alive, Prolong RCB’s Title Wait

Rajasthan Royals ended their losing streak with a thrilling chase, knocking out Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and securing a spot in the second qualifier. The Royals celebrated ecstatically, while the Challengers left the field disheartened.

Nervy Chase

Rovman Powell’s lofted straight drive marked the end of the Royals’ winless sequence and the Challengers’ hopes. Despite a modest total of 172 set by RCB, the Royals faced their own challenges. They conceded 46 runs before taking the first wicket and nearly lost the match due to some poor middle-order batting.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who batted with poise, fell victim to Cameron Green, leading to a thin edge caught by Dinesh Karthik. Sanju Samson, the Royals’ captain, followed suit with a reckless shot, leading to his stumping and shaking his head in frustration.

Two youngsters, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, were tasked with the recovery. Despite a promising start, Jurel was run out due to a brilliant throw by Virat Kohli. However, Parag and Shimron Hetmyer managed to take the game deep, with a 17-run over from Green swinging the contest in the Royals’ favor. Mohammed Siraj’s double-wicket over reignited RCB’s hopes, but it was too late.

Bowling Brilliance: Boult and Ashwin

Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin showcased their mastery with the ball. Boult’s precise swing bowling and Ashwin’s cunning spin stifled RCB’s batting. Boult gave away just 16 runs in four overs, while Ashwin conceded 19 and took two crucial wickets.

Boult’s early breakthrough came when a frustrated Faf du Plessis misjudged a pull shot, resulting in a spectacular catch by Powell. Kohli entertained the crowd with some pristine hitting but fell to a slog-sweep, a stroke that has often brought his downfall this season.

Ashwin’s experience shone through as he bowled with cunning variations, denying Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar the opportunity to score freely. Ashwin’s carrom balls and reverse-carrom variants proved too much for Green, who eventually fell to one.

Brief Scores

• Royal Challengers Bangalore: 172/8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 34, Virat Kohli 33, Mahipal Lomror 32; Avesh Khan 3/44, R Ashwin 2/19, Trent Boult 1/16)
• Rajasthan Royals: 174/6 in 19 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 45, Riyan Parag 36; Mohammed Siraj 2/33)

Rajasthan Royals won by 4 wickets, staying alive in the tournament and prolonging RCB’s wait for their elusive title.