Royal Challengers Bengaluru scored 172/8 in 20 overs, where as Rajasthan Royals scored 174/6 in 19 overs.
So, finally Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by four wickets.
In a closely-fought Eliminator contest, Ravichandran Ashwin (2 for 19) and Trent Boult (1 for 16) delivered decisive bowling performances, while Riyan Parag (36 off 26) provided a crucial knock under pressure.
This effort helped Rajasthan Royals break their losing streak and end RCB’s six-game winning run in the “loser goes home” match.
After winning an important toss, the Royals executed an excellent bowling display, restricting RCB’s powerful lineup to 172.
Despite a mid-innings wobble, they secured their spot in the second qualifier.
The difference: The middle overs in the first innings
On the surface, it might seem like a difference of just four runs.
However, losing four wickets during the nine-over middle phase meant RCB lacked the batting depth to maximize the death overs.
During this period, the Royals’ bowlers also had to contend with dew, albeit less than Faf du Plessis’s men faced.
This made the toss significant, and Ashwin’s spell match-defining.
| Parameters | RCB | RR |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 75/4 | 79/3 |
| Run Rate | 8.33 | 8.77 |
| 4s/6s | 4 and 4 | 6 and 2 |
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Power Play: A Boult Masterclass
Phase Score: 50/1 [RR: 8.33, 4s/6s: 5/2]
Trent Boult set the tone for the Power Play by placing both his allowed outfielders on the leg-side, signaling his bowling strategy to RCB’s openers.
Despite this, they managed only six runs off his three overs.
Boult found some swing and maintained excellent lengths, preventing both Kohli and Faf du Plessis from getting off to a fast start.
Kohli’s attempt to charge Boult failed, and though Sandeep Sharma and Avesh Khan conceded 44 runs from the other three overs, Boult was rewarded for his persistence when Rovman Powell caught du Plessis at deep mid-wicket for 17.
Boult bowled 13 dot balls out of his 18 deliveries in the Power Play.
Middle Overs: Ashwin Strikes Tighten RR’s Hold
Phase Score: 75/4 [RR: 8.33, 4s/6s: 4/4]
Kohli’s improved strike rate this season has been attributed to his willingness to take risks, particularly against spin in the middle overs.
However, his attempt to slog-sweep Yuzvendra Chahal failed, resulting in his dismissal for a 24-ball 33.
While Chahal took the key wicket, R. Ashwin’s spell was the most impactful.
Bowling mainly to right-handers, Ashwin used a variety of carrom balls and maintained lengths that prevented Cam Green and Rajat Patidar from playing big shots.
Although Dhruv Jurel dropped a simple catch off Patidar, Ashwin soon dismissed Green and Glenn Maxwell with consecutive deliveries.
Ashwin finished with 2 for 19 from his four overs, not conceding a single boundary, which left RCB without enough batters to exploit the dew.
Patidar’s 22-ball 34 ended when Avesh Khan dismissed him, preventing him from clearing mid-off.
Death Overs: Avesh Comes Back Well to Keep RCB Under-Par
Phase Score: 47/3 [RR: 9.4, 4s/6s: 4/2]
Avesh Khan should have had Dinesh Karthik out on his first ball, but an LBW decision was overturned on DRS, the third umpire detecting an inside edge that appeared to be bat on pad.
Despite conceding 30 runs from his first two overs, Avesh bounced back to take 3 for 14 in his last two.
He dismissed Karthik for 11 off 13, and also took Mahipal Lomror’s wicket after his bright 17-ball 32.
RCB, aiming for a finish over 180, fell short by eight runs.
Rajasthan Royals
Power Play: Royals Make Steady Beginning
Phase Score: 47/1 [RR: 7.83, 4s/6s: 9/0]
RCB started well, limiting the Royals to six runs in the first two overs.
However, the next 12 balls from Yash Dayal and Mohammed Siraj brought seven boundaries for the chasers.
Dayal conceded six boundaries in his first two overs, and although he should have dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Glenn Maxwell dropped a catch.
Lockie Ferguson bowled Kohler-Cadmore in the sixth over with an excellent leg-cutter, but the strong start by him and Jaiswal kept the Royals in control.
Middle Overs: RCB Fight and Stay in the Game
Phase Score: 79/3 [RR: 8.77, 4s/6s: 6/2]
RCB needed to make a stand in the middle overs.
Swapnil Singh conceded 17 runs in the seventh over, but Ferguson and Karn Sharma restricted the next two overs to 16 runs.
A fatigued Jaiswal gloved Cameron Green to the keeper for 45, and Karn Sharma stumped Sanju Samson in the 11th over.
Green’s three overs in this phase cost only 11 runs, matching Ashwin’s earlier efforts.
RCB also tightened their fielding, with Kohli executing a brilliant run-out to catch Dhruv Jurel short of his crease.
Death Overs: RR Cross the Line with an Over to Spare
Phase Score: 48/2 [RR: 12.00, 4s/6s: 5/3]
Needing 47 off the final five overs, Parag and Shimron Hetmyer each hit a six in a 17-run over off Green, putting RR in a commanding position.
Although Mohammed Siraj’s double-wicket over gave RCB hope, Rovman Powell sealed the chase with two fours and a six off Ferguson, finishing the match with an over to spare.
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