Cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL Dream Ends in Heartbreak as Rajasthan Royals AdvanceRoyal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) remarkable six-match winning streak came to a crushing end on Tuesday as they succumbed to a four-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.The loss marked RCB's 10th playoff defeat in 16 appearances, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of the team and their passionate fans. As disappointment washed over the RCB camp, former skipper Virat Kohli was spotted consoling teammate Dinesh Karthik, who was visibly distraught after the match.Karthik, who was playing in what was widely believed to be his final IPL season, had hoped to end his career on a high note with a title victory. However, the Eliminator loss shattered those dreams, leaving the veteran keeper-batter heartbroken.After the game, Kohli embraced Karthik in a warm hug, offering words of comfort to his teammate. The moment captured the emotions of the RCB camp, who had fought valiantly but ultimately fell short of their goal.Meanwhile, RR celebrated their hard-fought victory, which kept their IPL hopes alive. Electing to field first, RR restricted RCB to a below-par 172 for 8, with Prasidh Krishna and Trent Boult sharing seven wickets between them.In response, RR's chase was far from smooth, but they managed to reach the target with one over to spare. Jos Buttler (70) and Sanju Samson (27) provided the early impetus, while Riyan Parag (56) played a crucial knock in the middle order.RR will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the second qualifier on Friday, with the winner advancing to the final against Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on Sunday.

Virat Kohli's valiant efforts, culminating in a tournament-leading 741 runs in 15 matches, proved insufficient as Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) quest for an elusive Indian Premier League (IPL) title remains unfulfilled.After RCB's heartbreaking four-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator, Kohli's symbolic dislodging of the bails reflected his profound disappointment at the team's failure to advance further.Kohli's remarkable 741 runs, amassed at an impressive average of 61.75, showcased his unwavering reliability and insatiable hunger for runs. He illuminated the tournament with 62 boundaries and 38 towering sixes, captivating fans and inspiring his team.Earlier in the match, Kohli etched his name in IPL history by becoming the first player to surpass 8000 runs. This monumental achievement underscores his unparalleled consistency, skill, and dominance in the tournament since its inception.The former RCB captain reached this milestone in his 252nd IPL match, boasting an impressive tally of 8 centuries and 55 fifties.RCB's remarkable turnaround, rising from the bottom of the table after eight matches to win six in a row and secure a play-off berth, ultimately proved insufficient.In the do-or-die playoff at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Rajasthan restricted RCB to 172-8, successfully chasing the target with six balls to spare.Rajasthan will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday in Chennai, with the winner advancing to face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final on May 26.

Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious in a thrilling Eliminator match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, securing a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier 2. After restricting RCB to 172/8, RR's batters faced a mid-innings slump, allowing RCB to regain momentum. However, the 2008 champions rallied to secure a four-wicket win with an over to spare.Chasing 173, RR's innings was anchored by Riyan Parag (36 off 26), who showcased resilience in a challenging situation. Shimron Hetmyer (26 off 14) also played a crucial role, while Rovman Powell (16 not out) provided the finishing touches in a tense finish.Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 off 30) provided RR with a solid start, hitting four fours in the third over. However, Lockie Ferguson dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore (20) to give RCB their first breakthrough. Jaiswal's innings was cut short due to the extreme heat, and Karn Sharma dealt a further blow by stumping Sanju Samson (17).RCB continued to make inroads, with Dhruv Jurel (8) being run out after a brilliant effort from Virat Kohli and Cameron Green. RR's pressure intensified in the 15th over, but Hetmyer and Parag responded with a six each and a four to collect 17 runs.Rajasthan Royals' bowling effort was equally impressive. Trent Boult (4-0-16-1) produced an economical opening spell, while Ravichandran Ashwin (4-0-19-2) claimed the wickets of Green and Glenn Maxwell on consecutive deliveries. Avesh Khan (3/44) also contributed with three wickets.RR's fielders provided excellent support, particularly Rovman Powell, who took two stunning catches to halt RCB's progress.

Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore Clash in IPL EliminatorIn a highly anticipated encounter, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore will face off in the eliminator of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on May 22 in Ahmedabad. The winner of this crucial match will advance to Qualifier 2, where they will face Sunrisers Hyderabad.Rajasthan Royals, led by Sanju Samson, have been in impressive form throughout the tournament. They finished second in the league stage with 18 points, winning 10 of their 14 matches. Their batting lineup boasts the likes of Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, and Shimron Hetmyer, who will be bolstering the team as an 'impact' substitute player.Royal Challengers Bangalore, captained by Virat Kohli, have also had a strong season. They finished third in the league stage with 16 points, winning 8 of their 14 matches. Their batting lineup is equally formidable, featuring Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, and Glenn Maxwell.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Rajasthan Royals have a slight edge in the bowling department, with Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin leading the attack. Royal Challengers Bangalore, on the other hand, have a more experienced batting lineup and will be looking to capitalize on any mistakes made by the Royals' bowlers.The winner of the eliminator will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on May 25. The winner of that match will advance to the IPL final, which will be played on May 29.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Eliminator will witness a thrilling clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The match, scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST, promises an intense battle between two formidable teams.In their previous encounter, RR faced a setback when their match against Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned due to inclement weather. Meanwhile, RCB secured a convincing 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings.Head-to-Head:In the 31 matches played between these two teams, RCB's batters have accumulated the most fantasy points, while RR's bowlers have earned the most points. In their previous meeting this season, RR's Jos Buttler was named Man of the Match with 151 fantasy points, while RCB's Virat Kohli was the top performer with 165 fantasy points.Top Players to Watch:RCB:* Virat Kohli: The prolific right-handed batter has been in exceptional form, scoring 708 runs in 14 matches with an average of 64.4.* Faf du Plessis: Another top-order batter, du Plessis has contributed 421 runs in 14 matches, averaging 30.1 per match.* Cameron Green: The versatile all-rounder has scored 228 runs and taken nine wickets in 12 matches.RR:* Riyan Parag: The right-handed batter has been a key contributor, amassing 531 runs in 14 matches, averaging 59 runs per game.* Nandre Burger: The left-arm medium-fast bowler has taken seven wickets in six matches, averaging 20.7 per match.* Sandeep Sharma: The right-arm medium pacer has claimed 10 wickets in nine matches, averaging 23.8.As RR and RCB prepare for this crucial eliminator, the performances of these key players will be crucial in determining which team advances further in the tournament.

Sanju Samson's Rajasthan Royals face a daunting challenge as they prepare to face the in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore in a do-or-die IPL Eliminator on May 22 in Ahmedabad. The Royals, once considered favorites, have suffered a string of four defeats and a washout in their last game, leaving them in third place behind Sunrisers Hyderabad.On the other hand, RCB has staged a remarkable comeback after losing seven of their first eight games. Led by Faf du Plessis, the team has notched up six consecutive wins, including a victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings, to secure a playoffs berth.Rajasthan Royals' recent struggles have exposed frailties in their batting and bowling. The absence of Jos Buttler has depleted their firepower, and the team will rely heavily on Yashasvi Jaiswal, skipper Samson, and Riyan Parag to halt the slide.RCB, on the other hand, boasts a formidable batting lineup led by Virat Kohli, the tournament's leading run-getter. Kohli and du Plessis have formed a dominant partnership at the top, while Rajat Patidar has provided solidity in the middle order.The venue for the Eliminator, the Narendra Modi Stadium, has not been a batting paradise this season. Only twice in 12 innings has the 200-run mark been breached, indicating that teams with disciplined bowling attacks and strong batting lineups are likely to succeed.Rajasthan Royals' strong bowling lineup, featuring Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Trent Boult, could prove crucial. However, RCB's left-arm seamer Yash Dayal has been in impressive form, turning around his fortunes in the last match to deny CSK a win.The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Rajasthan Royals will be desperate to arrest their slide and keep their playoff hopes alive, while Royal Challengers Bangalore will be aiming to continue their winning streak and reach the Qualifier 2.