IPL 2024, RCB vs RR Match Highlights: Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 4 wickets in Eliminator

Right then, we are now down to just three teams who are still in contention for lifting the coveted Indian T20 League trophy, two of which will go head-to-head in a chance to face Kolkata in the Grand Finale on Sunday. It will be a resurgent Rajasthan side going up against a wounded Hyderabad side down south at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in Qualifier 2 and that is set up to be an enticing encounter. That game will take place on Friday, 24 May and will start at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) but you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Ravichandran Ashwin is the Player of the Match for his fine spell of bowling in the first innings. Ashwin says that they haven't done incredibly well in the last few games, with the batting not firing and they lost some key players as well. Adds that they were a bit rusty chasing the total but having done so, the confidence should be back. Mentions that in the first half of the season, his body wasn't moving well and had an issue with the abdomen as well but now, the body is fine and it is more about the rhythm and he needs a huge amount of bowling time to get into the T20 repetitions. Adds that initially when Trent Boult was bowling, there was some swing and reckons that there wasn't much dew later on as well and the batting was a bit of a mixed-up. Ends by saying that they now have some confident batters and have a class spin attack with Keshav Maharaj on the bench as well and are ready for the next game.

Sanju Samson, the skipper of Rajasthan says that cricket is like life, where you will have good and bad days but it is important to bounce back. Lauds the character shown in the field by his team. Credits Kumar Sangakkara and the support staff for doing the homework for the Bengaluru batters. Adds that Ravichandran Ashwin, Avesh Khan and Trent Boult bowled tremendously well. Tells that their batting unit has a good mix of youth and experience. Shares that he was not 100 per cent in this game and there is a bug going around in the dressing room. Further says that they have a travel day and will look to rest well before the next game.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Sanju Samson had no hesitation in putting Faf du Plessis and Co into bat first and this decision was welcomed by Trent Boult who bowled a fabulous spell upfront but wasn't quite well supported from the other end by Avesh Khan and Sandeep Sharma. However, as soon as Ravichandran Ashwin came in, he started to make things happen but it was Yuzvendra Chahal who got the big wicket of Virat Kohli and then didn't do much in the game. Bengaluru tried to counter in the middle overs with the likes of Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green but they both also fell and it was Mahipal Lomror who played a vital cameo to get Bengaluru over the 170-run mark. However, this could have been more but Avesh had a dream spell at the death and picked up three wickets to keep the opposition to an under-par total. In reply, Rajasthan couldn't kick on after a fast start but had enough batting to get over the line and live to fight another day.

The man who hit the winning runs for Rajasthan, Rovman Powell is down for a quick chat. Powell says that it wasn't a difficult situation and one just needed to get bat to ball and luckily for him, he got a few boundaries away early. Adds that he told Hetmyer to be positive and unfortunately, he couldn't stay on till the end. Mentions that he wanted to have balls in his hand when he came out to bat but lauds the batters for contributing and adds that the first catch was the one that let him get to the rest of the catches and if he had dropped it, it might have made him drop another one. Reckons that sometimes chances come to you really quick and had he put it down, it would have been a good effort. Ends by saying that they haven't quite played their best cricket in the last few games but are looking forward to the clash against Hyderabad.

The Bengaluru skipper, Faf du Plessis, says that with the dew coming in, they were a few runs short. Feels that they needed to push more for a few runs to make it a competitive total. Credits his team for fighting till the end. Reckons that with the Impact Player and the dew factor, what used to be a par score earlier isn't par anymore. States when you win only one of your first eight games, the wheels would have fallen off for most teams, but his team did well to win six on the trot. Further says that the boys showed great character, and it is not easy to win six on the bounce.

Bengaluru knew they were more than a few runs short and needed wickets upfront inside the Powerplay but it just didn't happen and a few sloppy efforts in the field didn't help either. There was certainly some resurgence in the middle overs as they got a couple of wickets after which Cameron Green bowled a fine spell and got the opposition in a tight spot. A fabulous run out from Virat Kohli further galvanized Bengaluru but soon enough, the runs required were quite low and they needed multiple wickets in an over. Mohammed Siraj got them a couple of wickets in the 18th over but by then, the damage had been done and in the next over, Rovman Powell wiped off the remaining 13 runs and just like that, Bengaluru were dumped out of the competition, just a couple of days or so after sealing a playoff berth in sensational fashion. Also, a big round of applause goes to Dinesh Karthik who had announced at the start of the season that this will be his final Indian T20 League campaign and in him Bengaluru have lost a true finisher and we wish him the best for the next phase of his career.

RAJASTHAN ARE HEADING TO CHENNAI! A gut-wrenching win in the end but Rajasthan have managed to get rid of their demons and keep their hopes of making it through to the Final alive. What a remarkable run from Bengaluru though, a sensational six-game winning streak that has ended in heartbreak but winning 9 on the trot to clinch the trophy always seemed a bit too much. This game, however, is all about Rajasthan and them turning a corner given they were on a four-game losing streak but will feel a lot better now. Needing 173 for the win, Rajasthan got off to a rollicking start with boundaries flowing off the bat of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore but then came the slump in the middle overs. Set batters in the form of Jaiswal and Sanju Samson got out and then there was that run-out as well of Dhruv Jurel that created some panic but Riyan Parag got crucial runs away. He too then got out and so did Shimron Hetmyer but Rovman Powell, who seems to be the coolest head in the stadium kept his cool and got the job done in the 19th over.

Lockie Ferguson to Rovman Powell, SIX! BOOM! Thumped flat and thumped down the ground! Rovman Powell gets the job done for Rajasthan. Ferguson comes up with a slower one and this is much fuller, outside off, Rovman Powell picks the variation out of the hand and waits for the ball to arrive. Smacks it off the middle of the bat and hits it well away from long on for a flat six. Punches the air in delight and a relieved look on the faces of Rajasthan players in the dugout. Rajasthan win by 4 wickets to book their place in Qualifier 2.

Lockie Ferguson to Rovman Powell, Make that three dots in a row! Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a hard length, on off and middle, Rovman Powell covers the line of the ball and defends it out with a straight bat.

Lockie Ferguson to Rovman Powell, Hits the deck hard again, on middle, Rovman Powell pats it to the right of the bowler. Lockie Ferguson gets around and cuts it off. Two dots on the trot.

Lockie Ferguson to Rovman Powell, Bowls it on a back of a length, on off, Rovman Powell slaps it firmly but picks out the man at backward point.

Lockie Ferguson to Rovman Powell, FOUR MORE! Another streaky boundary and Rajasthan are nearly there. Just 5 runs away now. Serves it on a good length, angling in, around off, Rovman Powell looks to keep it out with a straight bat. Gets squared up slightly and gets an outside edge that beats the dive of Karn Sharma at short third for four more runs.

Lockie Ferguson to Rovman Powell, FOUR! Intentional or not, it does not matter! Rajasthan will take it any which way they come. Full and near the tramline on off, Rovman Powell leaves his bat hanging as he reaches out. It comes off the outside edge and it races past backward point for a boundary.

Ravichandran Ashwin is the new batter in. 13 needed now off 12 balls and Lockie Ferguson comes in to bowl the penultimate over.

Mohammed Siraj to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Mohammed Siraj with the double strike for Bengaluru! First Riyan Parag and now Shimron Hetmyer, Rajasthan are digging a hole for themselves through their shot selection. Siraj targets the stumps and serves it on a length, Shimron Hetmyer has a wild heave across the line. Gets a top edge that goes very high in the air around the cover region. Faf du Plessis turns around and almost turns a full circle. Keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and takes it near his chest, falling on his back. The game is far from over yet and Rajasthan will be starting to feel the pressure now.

Mohammed Siraj to Rovman Powell, Fuller and on off, Rovman Powell digs it out to long on and gets to the other end. Can Siraj finish his spell with a wicket?

Mohammed Siraj to Shimron Hetmyer, Aerial but safe! Low full toss, on middle, Shimron Hetmyer muscles it away from the crease and it goes on the bounce to deep mid-wicket where Glenn Maxwell cuts it off. A single taken. Can Siraj finish his spell with a wicket?

Mohammed Siraj to Rovman Powell, Angling in, on middle, fuller in length, Rovman Powell gets rushed slightly but does well to get his bat out in front of the pads and clips it behind square on the leg side for one.

Rovman Powell is the new batter in.

Mohammed Siraj to Riyan Parag, OUT! CASTLED! Riyan Parag misses but Mohammed Siraj doesn't! Keeps it full and straight and hurls it with an upright seam, a bit of late inward shape, Riyan Parag stays put and swings across the line. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and rattles into the woodwork. Parag cannot see his side home and has he left the door ajar for Bengaluru?

Mohammed Siraj to Riyan Parag, WIDE! Bowls a bumper, aimed at the helmet of the batter, Riyan Parag arches back slightly and thinks about playing the upper-cut. Decides against it in the end and lets it go. The ball sails over Parag's head for a wide. Bengaluru challenge the wide call but the replays show that it was clearly over the head.

Mohammed Siraj to Riyan Parag, WIDE! A bit of bat on it and that would have been a boundary. Siraj goes searching for the yorker but slips it down leg, Riyan Parag gets inside the line but misses the tickle. Wide given.

Mohammed Siraj to Shimron Hetmyer, Gets the yorker in, at the toes, Shimron Hetmyer gets his bat down and squeezes it out to deep backward square leg. Shimron Hetmyer wants to come back for the second but Riyan Parag makes the wise call of sending him back.

Yash Dayal to Riyan Parag, Edged but it was the slower one and it falls way short of Dinesh Karthik. Angling across, on a length, Riyan Parag opens up to have a swipe across the line. Gets a feather on it that goes on the bounce to DK behind the wicket.

Yash Dayal to Shimron Hetmyer, Honing in at the stumps, on a fullish length and slower too, Shimron Hetmyer calmly clips it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Yash Dayal to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Not in complete control but Shimron Hetmyer gets back-to-back boundaries! The balance of power completely in Rajasthan's favour. Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a good length, outside off, Shimron Hetmyer goes after it. Gets a thickish outside edge that flies over backward point for a boundary.

Yash Dayal to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Hit with immense power and that has raced away! Not the best of options by Dayal with mid off inside the circle. Too full and on off, Shimron Hetmyer hits through the line and drills to the left of mid off for a boundary.

Yash Dayal to Riyan Parag, Loopy, dipping, slower delivery, on middle and leg, Riyan Parag takes it on the full and swipes it to deep mid-wicket even as the bottom hand comes off the bat. A single taken.

Yash Dayal to Shimron Hetmyer, Dayal begins from over the wicket and goes into the wicket straight away, around off, Shimron Hetmyer waits for the slower delivery and drags the pull on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

Cameron Green to Riyan Parag, A couple of dots by Green to get out of the over. Rajasthan get 17 runs off the over and they have got the big over they were after. This is on a back of a length, on off, Riyan Parag rolls his wrists and controls the pull to mid-wicket.

Cameron Green to Riyan Parag, Digs it in short again does Green, on off, Riyan Parag hops back and stabs it down solidly with a straight bat.

Cameron Green to Riyan Parag, FOUR! Clever, very clever! Brilliant game awareness from Parag. Green bangs it on a hard length, at pace, on off, Riyan Parag waits on it as he stays leg side of the ball. Uses the pace of the ball and ramps it past short third to pick up a boundary. 17 runs off the first four balls.

Cameron Green to Riyan Parag, SIX! Clean as a whistle and it looks like the two batters have decided to take down Green. Errs in length does Green as serves a slower one, on a length, on the off-stump line, Riyan Parag backs away and gives himself room. Spanks it over cover and deposits it into the stands for a biggie.

Cameron Green to Shimron Hetmyer, Fuller in length, Shimron Hetmyer eases it down to long on for a single.

Cameron Green to Shimron Hetmyer, SIX! Shimron Hetmyer gets the distance! Green takes pace off and angles it across from over the wicket, on a shortish length, Shimron Hetmyer shapes up to muscle it over long on. Gets high on the bat but gets enough to clear long on for a maximum. Best possible start to the over for Rajasthan. Can they convert this one into a big score?

Mohammed Siraj to Shimron Hetmyer, Good length on leg stump, flicked away through square leg for a run.

Mohammed Siraj to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Just a bit too high. Brings out the slower bumper now, bowling it outside off, Shimron Hetmyer leaves it alone as the ball lobs over his head.

Mohammed Siraj to Shimron Hetmyer, FOUR! Not in control but gets enough on it. A quick short ball at the batter but just a bit too straight, Shimron Hetmyer goes after it and gets a top edge that flies down to fine leg for a boundary.

Mohammed Siraj to Riyan Parag, Angling in, on a length, Riyan Parag drags the slog off the inside half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammed Siraj to Riyan Parag, Oh, dear! Rajasthan almost gave another wicket away and Riyan Parag would have certainly been at fault there. Full and straight, looking for the inswinging yorker, Riyan Parag manages to jam it out wide of long on and Shimron Hetmyer calls for two right away. However, Parag denies it and Hetmyer is almost down at the other end when Parag finally starts running. The throw comes in at the keeper's end which is the right one but is well wide and Parag is safe.

Mohammed Siraj to Shimron Hetmyer, A slower bumper now, angling across from leg stump, Shimron Hetmyer gets a bit low, leaving his bat hanging but does well to angle it away towards deep backward square leg for one more.

Mohammed Siraj to Riyan Parag, On a good length around off and angling back in, Riyan Parag punches it off the front foot and down to long off for a single.

Strategic break! A potential game-changing effort from Virat Kohli has lifted Bengaluru's spirits and it came just at the right time as a steady partnership was building for Rajasthan. Cameron Green has produced a stellar spell so far but he has only one over remaining, leaving others to step up to the plate in the remaining phase of the game. As for Rajasthan, they require 58 runs off the last 6 overs which is pretty gettable in this day and age. With Rovman Powell still left in the shed, Rajasthan will be confident enough to get the job done but a lot will rest on the shoulders of Riyan Parag. Mohammed Siraj (2-0-16-0) returns to the attack.

Cameron Green to Riyan Parag, Just four runs and a wicket off that over and Cameron Green is bowling a seemingly game-changing spell here. Hard length around off stump, Riyan Parag uses his wrists to play it through mid on and pick up a single.

Cameron Green to Shimron Hetmyer, Back of a length and around off, punched away off the back foot and straight down the ground for one more by Shimron Hetmyer.

Cameron Green to Shimron Hetmyer, Dug in a bit short and outside off stump, Shimron Hetmyer chops the ball down towards point.

Cameron Green to Riyan Parag, On the shorter side again and angling in, Riyan Parag punches it off the back foot and down to long on for a single.

Cameron Green to Riyan Parag, Slower short ball around off stump, Riyan Parag stays back and defends it on the leg side.