In an intense Eliminator match, Ravichandran Ashwin and Trent Boult shone with the ball to help Rajasthan Royals break their losing streak and stop Royal Challengers Bangalore’s six-game winning run. Ashwin’s 2 for 19 and Boult’s 1 for 16 were crucial in restricting RCB to 172 runs after the Royals won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Despite a shaky middle phase in their own innings, Riyan Parag’s 36 off 26 provided the necessary boost as Rajasthan Royals secured a four-wicket victory over RCB in the loser-goes-home contest. The difference-maker was the middle overs in the first innings, where RCB lost crucial wickets and struggled to accelerate their scoring rate.
Boult’s masterclass in the PowerPlay, where he conceded just six runs in three overs, set the tone for the Royals’ bowling performance. Ashwin’s spell in the middle overs further tightened the grip on RCB, as he picked up key wickets without conceding a boundary. Avesh Khan’s comeback in the death overs kept RCB’s total under-par.
In the chase, Rajasthan Royals made a steady start in the PowerPlay before facing some pressure in the middle overs from RCB’s bowlers. However, Parag and Shimron Hetmyer’s aggressive batting in the death overs sealed the win for the Royals with an over to spare.
With this victory, Rajasthan Royals advance to the second qualifier against Sunrisers Hyderabad, while RCB’s quest for their first IPL title continues. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting clash between two strong teams vying for a spot in the final.