Cricket

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.

Virat Kohli's unwavering loyalty to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a testament to his unwavering commitment to the franchise. Despite RCB's failure to lift the IPL trophy since 2008, Kohli has remained steadfast in his support, even after leading India to victory in the 2008 U19 World Cup.RCB acquired Kohli for a modest USD 30,000 in the 2008 IPL auction, after he had impressed with his leadership skills in the U19 World Cup. While Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) had the opportunity to bid for Kohli, they opted for left-arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan to strengthen their bowling unit.Over the years, RCB has come close to winning the IPL title, reaching the final thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2016. However, Kohli's loyalty has never wavered, despite the team's shortcomings.In 2008, when RCB was co-owned by Vijay Mallya, the team's remarkable turnaround and qualification for the playoffs prompted Mallya to express his confidence in Kohli and the team. "My inner instinct tells me that RCB have the best chance to go for the IPL Trophy," Mallya had said.Despite a poor start to IPL 2024, RCB has regained momentum, winning six consecutive games to qualify for the playoffs. The team now faces Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator, with a potential Qualifier 2 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad looming. If RCB emerges victorious, they will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.Kohli's unwavering loyalty to RCB has become a symbol of his dedication to the franchise and the sport of cricket. His commitment to the team, even during challenging times, has earned him the respect and admiration of fans and fellow players alike.

RCB Snatch Victory from CSK in Thrilling IPL 2024 Playoff RaceIn a nail-biting encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged victorious over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs, securing their spot in the playoffs of IPL 2024.Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal played a pivotal role in RCB's triumph, holding his nerve in the final over to deny CSK a crucial win. With CSK needing 17 runs off the last six deliveries, Dayal conceded only 10 runs, including a crucial wicket of MS Dhoni.Earlier, CSK had set a challenging target of 209 for RCB, thanks to a blistering 93-run partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni. Jadeja smashed 62 off 45 balls, while Dhoni contributed 54 off 38 deliveries.RCB's chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets in the powerplay. However, a 66-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell steadied the innings. Kohli top-scored with 56 off 42 balls, while Maxwell chipped in with 32 off 24 deliveries.With RCB needing 34 runs off the last three overs, Dhoni's towering six off Dayal in the penultimate over brought CSK back into the game. However, Dayal's composure under pressure proved decisive, as he dismissed Dhoni in the final over and sealed the victory for RCB.Dayal's heroics earned him the Player of the Match award, while Kohli's tactical instructions to bowl a slower ball to Dhoni became a viral moment on social media.RCB's victory eliminated CSK from the tournament, while RCB will now face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a thrilling victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, booking their spot in the playoffs. The match was marked by intense competition and a controversial incident involving Virat Kohli.RCB, led by Faf du Plessis, displayed exceptional aggression throughout the CSK innings. Each wicket was celebrated with fervor, and the fielding efforts were commendable. However, a moment of contention arose when RCB players questioned the umpire's decision regarding a no-ball by Lockie Ferguson to Rachin Ravindra. Du Plessis and Kohli argued that the slippery ball was the cause, a complaint they had raised earlier.Despite du Plessis' departure, Kohli continued to engage with the umpire, prompting criticism from former CSK player Matthew Hayden. "There's way too much interjection from Virat Kohli. He is not the captain and he should not be in those conversations with the umpire," Hayden remarked.Meanwhile, former India batter Ambati Rayudu expressed his belief that RCB are the favorites in the upcoming Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals. He cited RCB's six-match winning streak and clinical performance against CSK as reasons for his prediction."I think RCB are clear favorites for me, because of the way they are playing and they've had a clinical game against CSK," Rayudu said. "For RR, I don't know if this gap in play will help. This washout would help them in going into an eliminator against RCB who I feel right now are a matured side and every player over there knows his role."

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.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have defied all odds to qualify for the Playoffs of IPL 2024, securing a thrilling 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league stage match.After a dismal start to the season, losing seven out of their first eight games, RCB staged a remarkable turnaround in the second half, winning six consecutive matches to seal a Playoffs berth. In their must-win clash against CSK, RCB posted a formidable 218/5, thanks to a blistering 73 from Virat Kohli and a crucial 52 from Dinesh Karthik.In response, CSK needed to restrict RCB to 201 or less to qualify for the Playoffs. However, RCB's bowlers held their nerve, led by Harshal Patel's 3/35 and Josh Hazlewood's 2/39. Despite a valiant effort from Ambati Rayudu (79), CSK fell short by 27 runs, finishing on 191/7.The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among the RCB players and fans, who took a lap around their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a heartwarming moment, Kohli was seen urging the crowd to cheer for Karthik, who was dancing with pacer Mohammed Siraj.RCB skipper Faf du Plessis hailed the team's resilience and praised the performance of young pacer Yash Dayal, who bowled the final over and conceded only 10 runs. "Unbelievable and such a great atmosphere," said du Plessis. "I dedicate this Man of the Match to Yash Dayal. The way he bowled was unbelievable."With this victory, RCB have secured the fourth spot in the points table and will face the fifth-placed team in the Eliminator match on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Virat Kohli's batting has been under scrutiny despite his impressive run-scoring form in IPL 2024. However, the RCB batter silenced critics with a blistering 47 off 29 balls against Chennai Super Kings, propelling his team to the playoffs.Kohli's innings was a masterclass in pacing and execution. He started cautiously, building a solid foundation for RCB's chase. As the innings progressed, he accelerated his scoring rate, hitting boundaries at will. His strike rate of 162.07 was a testament to his aggressive intent.Legendary Indian batter Virender Sehwag lauded Kohli's performance, stating that it was a joy to witness him perform at his best. "He gave an amazing start to RCB," Sehwag said. "He has batted amazingly. Virat Kohli has done what he is known for. Today he has shown that he is a big player in big matches."Kohli's innings was not the only highlight for RCB. Young pacer Yash Dayal emerged as a key performer, dismissing MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja in quick succession to seal the victory. RCB captain Faf Du Plessis awarded Dayal the Man of the Match award, praising his exceptional bowling."The way he bowled was unbelievable," Du Plessis said. "For a man who's fairly new, he deserves it. [on what he told Dayal before the last over] Pace off is the best option on this pitch and trust your skills and enjoy, this is what you trained for."RCB's victory was a testament to their collective effort. Kohli's batting brilliance, Dayal's bowling prowess, and Du Plessis's astute captaincy combined to secure a crucial win and a berth in the playoffs.

India's Quest for ICC Glory: Rohit Sharma Leads Team into T20 World CupAs the ICC T20 World Cup approaches, Indian cricket fans are eagerly anticipating the performance of their team under the leadership of captain Rohit Sharma. The tournament, scheduled to take place in the US and West Indies from June 5, presents India with an opportunity to redeem themselves after the disappointment of losing the ODI World Cup title at home last year.India's T20 World Cup campaign will begin on June 5 against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The 36-year-old Rohit will be aiming to secure an ICC trophy that has eluded India since 2013. India's last T20 World Cup victory came in the inaugural edition in 2007, when the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team defeated Pakistan by five runs in the final.Since their 2007 triumph, India have reached the final just once in eight editions, finishing as runners-up in the 2014 tournament in Bangladesh after losing to Sri Lanka by six wickets.Despite the challenges, India's star batsman Shikhar Dhawan is confident in Rohit's ability to lead the team to victory. "Of course, there is lots of pressure playing for India in World Cups and Rohit is an experienced guy. I am sure his experience will come in handy, he knows how to soak the pressure and definitely, India will come out with flying colours," Dhawan told TimesofIndia.com.Another key player for India will be Virat Kohli, who has been in exceptional form in recent ICC events. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, Kohli amassed 296 runs in 6 matches at an impressive average of 98.66, including four half-centuries. He also maintained his prolific form in the ICC ODI World Cup, hosted by India, earning the Man of the Series award with 765 runs in 11 matches.Dhawan believes that Kohli will once again rise to the occasion as Team India seeks an ICC title. "Apart from Rohit, I feel Virat (Kohli) and Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) will be crucial for Team India’s success in the T20 World Cup," Dhawan said. "Virat is the chase master and his mere presence in the field demoralises the opposition. Jasprit is the world’s best bowler at the moment in all 3 formats and if India are to win the World Cup, he will play a vital role in it."The IPL has also showcased emerging stars who could potentially make an impact in the T20 World Cup. Punjab Kings batsmen Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma have impressed with their breathtaking batting and ability to clear the boundary with ease.With a balanced squad and experienced leadership, India will be hoping to end their ICC title drought and bring home the T20 World Cup trophy.

Virat Kohli Congratulates Chris Gayle on Record-Breaking Sixes in IPL 2024Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle, known for his monstrous sixes during his playing days, received a warm welcome from his former teammate Virat Kohli after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs.Upon Gayle's arrival in the RCB dressing room, Kohli immediately informed him that he had become the player with the most sixes in the ongoing IPL season. "Maximum sixes this season, yeah!," Kohli exclaimed in a video shared by RCB on social media.Gayle, who played for RCB from 2011 to 2017, was visibly surprised and asked, "How much?" Kohli proudly replied, "37!"Kohli's four sixes in his 29-ball 47 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took his tally of sixes in the season to 37. He now has 708 runs to his credit in 14 innings and holds the Orange Cap as the edition's top run-getter.RCB's victory over CSK in a do-or-die match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru secured their place in the IPL playoffs. They will now face third-placed Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.Kohli's playful banter with Gayle continued as he teased him about becoming RCB's 'Impact Player' in the next IPL season. "Kaka, come back next year. Impact Player rule is on now. You don't have to field anymore. It's designed for you," Kohli joked, referring to Gayle's reluctance to run on the field during his playing career.Kohli autographed his RCB jersey and gifted it to Gayle with the message: "To Chris (kaka). With love and best wishes."