Cricket

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.

Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu believes that MS Dhoni's IPL career is not over yet and urges the BCCI to retain the impact player rule to facilitate Dhoni's continued participation in the tournament.Chennai Super Kings' hopes of reaching the playoffs were dashed after a 27-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday. Dhoni's team needed 17 runs in the final over to qualify, but RCB bowler Yash Dayal held his nerve to secure the victory.Rayudu, who played alongside Dhoni at CSK, believes that Dhoni is not ready to retire. "I don't think this is his last game. I just don't see him wanting to end on this note," Rayudu said. "He looked a little frustrated, even when he got out. That's very unlike MS Dhoni, he just wanted to qualify and finish on a high. But you never know with MS Dhoni, he might come back next year."Rayudu also highlighted the importance of the impact player rule in keeping Dhoni involved. "With the impact player role as well, it gives him the opportunity to be able to come in those last few overs and truly make that impact," Rayudu said. "BCCI better not remove the impact player role because we still want to see MS Dhoni play. So, it's up to BCCI now. Do we want to see MS Dhoni play or not."Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also commented on Dhoni's performance, noting that while his physical abilities may be diminishing, his leadership and cricketing knowledge remain invaluable. "As a leader, he is The Thala of the Chennai Super Kings. This is telling me that nothing here is about becoming anything else other than first place. He's desperately using his brains, all of that cricket knowledge," Hayden said.Despite the disappointment of the loss, RCB continued their impressive run of form with their sixth consecutive win, securing a place in the playoffs.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs are set to commence, with Kolkata Knight Riders, SunRisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru vying for the coveted trophy. However, the minds of many IPL enthusiasts are preoccupied with a pressing question: Is this the end of the road for MS Dhoni?The Chennai Super Kings legend witnessed his team's heartbreaking defeat against RCB on Saturday, which eliminated them from the tournament. Dhoni was visibly devastated by the loss.After leading CSK to victory in IPL 2023, Dhoni had hinted at retirement. However, he expressed his desire to continue playing for at least one more season due to the immense love and support he received from fans. That "one season" concluded on Saturday, but Dhoni has yet to make an official announcement regarding his IPL future.According to a report in the Times of India, Dhoni will take a few months to make a decision. "Dhoni has not informed anyone in CSK that he is quitting. He has told the management that he will wait for a couple of months before making a final call," a source close to the developments revealed.The report also stated that Dhoni was "devastated" after the loss and was among the first to leave the CSK camp for his hometown Ranchi on Sunday morning. He was later spotted riding his bike in Ranchi.In the RCB vs CSK match, Faf du Plessis's RCB needed a victory to secure a top-four finish. The excitement was palpable at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as RCB emerged victorious by 27 runs. However, the celebrations from the players drew criticism after Dhoni left the pitch without shaking hands.Videos on social media showed Dhoni waiting for the RCB players, who continued celebrating, before making his way to the dressing room without shaking hands. Virat Kohli later followed him inside to speak with the veteran star.During a discussion on Cricbuzz, former England cricket team skipper Michael Vaughan criticized RCB players for not taking the time to shake hands with Dhoni. "I can see that with the RCB team. They enjoy a lot of support but they also wind out the people. We saw a lot of that tonight. I get that that they have never been in a position where they have won the IPL and they desperately made it to the eliminations. But you don't wanna be one of those teams that everyone wants to lose," Vaughan said.

Dinesh Karthik's resurgence has been a pivotal factor in Royal Challengers Bangalore's remarkable turnaround in IPL 2023. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 315 runs at a blistering strike rate of 195.65, his best performance in 17 seasons.Karthik attributes the team's success to a shift in mindset after a disappointing start. "The SRH game was a turning point," he said. "We came back strongly with the bat, which gave us confidence."The freedom to play without pressure has also been a key factor. "We had nothing to lose, so why not do things differently?" Karthik explained. "But you have to back that up with skill."Karthik's off-field efforts have also contributed to his success. "I've gotten fitter and stronger," he said. "I also had to overcome the skepticism surrounding my return as a commentator."Commentary has had a positive impact on Karthik's cricket. "It's taught me not to take criticism too seriously," he said. "It's also increased my worldly knowledge and self-esteem."Karthik's motivation stems from a desire to prove himself. "I wanted to respond to the questions that were asked," he said. "I've done what I've done today."Despite his success, Karthik remains uncertain about his future. "I don't want to think too far ahead," he said. "But if RCB goes all the way, I might play one more year."

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has made a bold prediction that Virat Kohli could surpass his legendary 2016 IPL season, where he amassed 973 runs and led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to the final. Hayden believes that Kohli's current form and determination could lead him to even greater heights.Kohli has already scored 708 runs in 14 games this season, putting him on track to eclipse his previous record. Hayden praised Kohli's intensity and passion for the game, noting his ability to rally the crowd and silence opposition supporters.RCB's remarkable turnaround from a disappointing first half of the season, where they won only one of eight games, to winning six consecutive matches to reach the playoffs, has been a testament to the team's resilience. RCB finished the league stage in fourth place with seven wins, seven losses, and a higher net-run-rate than CSK, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants.RCB will face Rajasthan Royals in the eliminator clash at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on May 22. The winner of this match will advance to Qualifier 2, set to take place in Chennai on May 24, for a chance to reach the final on May 26.With Kohli in scintillating form and the team showing remarkable grit, RCB fans are hopeful that this could be the year their team finally clinches the elusive IPL title.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have received a significant boost in their quest for a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs after Delhi Capitals (DC) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Tuesday. This victory ensures that LSG cannot surpass RCB in the points table, even if they win their final league match. Additionally, DC's inferior Net Run Rate (NRR) makes their chances of securing a top-four finish highly unlikely.Currently, RCB sits in sixth place in the points table with six wins and 12 points from 13 matches. They have a positive NRR of +0.387. Delhi Capitals, in fifth place, has 14 points from 14 matches but an NRR of -0.377. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) occupies fourth place with 14 points and an NRR of +0.406, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) holds third place with 14 points and an NRR of +0.528.For RCB to qualify for the playoffs, they must defeat CSK in their upcoming match. If they fail to do so, they will be eliminated from contention. However, if RCB does beat CSK, they could potentially dislodge either CSK or SRH from the top four.There are two possible scenarios for RCB to qualify:Scenario 1: RCB beats CSK, but their NRR remains inferior. In this case, RCB would need SRH to lose both of their remaining league matches. If SRH loses both matches, they will remain on 14 points. A victory for RCB against CSK would also take their tally to 14 points. In such a scenario, RCB would need to ensure that their NRR is better than SRH's. If both RCB and CSK qualify, SRH would be eliminated.Scenario 2: If SRH wins even one of their next two matches, they will qualify for the playoffs. This scenario would mean that RCB can only topple CSK in the top-four race. If SRH is already through, RCB would need to beat CSK by approximately 18 runs if they bat first and put 200 on the board. If RCB bowls first and is given a target of 201 runs, they would need to chase it down with roughly 11 balls to spare. In this case, RCB and SRH would qualify, while CSK would be eliminated.

The Delhi Capitals' playoff hopes suffered a major setback as they succumbed to a 47-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore in a crucial encounter. The match was marred by the absence of regular skipper Rishabh Pant, who was suspended for one match due to a slow over-rate offense.In Pant's absence, Axar Patel took over the captaincy reins, but the team struggled to find its rhythm. RCB posted a competitive total of 189/5, thanks to a blistering 66 from Rajat Patidar and a crucial 58 from Glenn Maxwell.DC's chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost four wickets in the powerplay. Jake Fraser-McGurk and Tristan Stubbs were both run out in unfortunate circumstances, further compounding the team's woes.Despite a valiant effort from Mitchell Marsh (55), DC never truly recovered from their early setbacks. They were eventually bowled out for 142, handing RCB a comfortable victory.The defeat leaves DC's playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They are currently fifth in the standings with 12 points, but their net run rate of -0.482 is significantly lower than RCB's 0.387.Axar Patel, who stood in as captain for the match, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance. "Dropped catches hurt us. We could have restricted them to 150. Also when you lose four wickets in powerplay, you are always chasing the game," he said.Pant, who has been a key figure for DC this season, did not directly address his suspension but shared a cryptic post on Instagram. "The only thing we have power over in the universe is our own thoughts. Can't say much," he wrote.With just one match remaining in the league stage, DC's chances of reaching the playoffs appear slim. However, they will be hoping for a miracle and will need to win their final game against Mumbai Indians while also relying on other results going their way.

RCB vs DC Live Score: RCB's Winning Streak Faces a Tough Test Against Pant-less Delhi CapitalsRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been on a roll lately, winning four consecutive matches to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, their next challenge comes in the form of Delhi Capitals (DC), who will be without their suspended skipper Rishabh Pant.Pant's absence is a significant blow to DC, as he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the IPL. However, RCB cannot afford to become complacent, as DC still boasts a formidable lineup.RCB's recent victories have come against weaker opponents, such as Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. DC, on the other hand, is a much tougher test. They have a well-balanced team with experienced players like David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Axar Patel.RCB's batting has been in good form, with Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Glenn Maxwell all contributing. However, their bowling has been a concern, with Harshal Patel and Josh Hazlewood struggling for consistency.DC's bowling attack is led by the experienced Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. They also have a strong spin department, with Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.The match between RCB and DC is expected to be a close contest. RCB will be looking to continue their winning streak, while DC will be determined to bounce back from their recent losses.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) emerged victorious against the formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), breaking their losing streak. Batting first, RCB amassed an impressive 200+ runs, with Virat Kohli contributing a steady 51. However, it was Rajat Patidar who stole the show, earning the Player of the Match award for his explosive half-century at a blistering strike rate.Kohli's innings sparked a debate about his intent and strike rate, as he faced criticism for his relatively slow 43-ball 51. After a blistering start in the powerplay, Kohli struggled to find boundaries, resulting in a significant drop in his strike rate. He managed only 19 runs from the last 25 deliveries he faced.Former RCB and Australia batter Aaron Finch defended Kohli's approach, emphasizing the context of the partnership with Patidar. "Kohli's knock shouldn't be viewed in isolation," Finch said. "He started well, but after the powerplay, Patidar was on fire. Sometimes, as a set batter, your role is to keep the innings going and give Patidar as many deliveries as possible."Finch acknowledged the decline in Kohli's strike rate but highlighted the effectiveness of the partnership. "You can criticize him individually, but as a partnership, it worked well," Finch asserted. "When your partner is going all out, you don't want to be stuck at the non-striker's end. Kohli did the right thing by giving Patidar the strike."Kohli's innings may have raised questions, but RCB's victory showcased the team's resilience and the importance of adapting to the game situation. Patidar's blistering knock and Kohli's steady contribution proved to be a winning combination, highlighting the depth and versatility of the RCB batting lineup.