RR vs RCB Match Highlights: IPL 2024

In a thrilling Eliminator of IPL 2024 held in Ahmedabad, Rajasthan Royals (RR) emerged victorious against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by four wickets. RCB set a challenging target of 173 runs, but RR chased it down successfully in 19 overs.

Yashasvi Jaiswal played a key role with a top score of 45, while Riyan Parag contributed a crucial 36. This match was marked by significant milestones, including Virat Kohli becoming the first batter to reach 8000 IPL runs. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the exciting match.

RCB Sets a Target of 173

RCB, invited to bat first, posted a total of 172 for 8 in their 20 overs. Rajat Patidar played a crucial innings, scoring 34 off 22 balls, and showcasing his aggressive intent with well-timed boundaries. Virat Kohli, contributing 33 off 24 balls, reached a historic milestone by becoming the first-ever batter to accumulate 8000 runs in IPL history.

The innings witnessed several ups and downs. Ravichandran Ashwin exhibited his bowling mastery, claiming two wickets for just 19 runs in his four-over spell. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, RCB managed to put up a competitive total, aided by late hitting from the lower-order batsmen, ensuring they had a defendable score on the board.

Jaiswal and Kohler-Cadmore Give RR a Strong Start

Chasing 173, RR started steadily with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. They formed a solid partnership, adding 46 runs for the first wicket. Kohler-Cadmore was eventually dismissed for 20, but Jaiswal continued to play a crucial role, scoring 45 off 30 balls.

His innings were marked by a series of boundaries that kept the required run rate manageable. Jaiswal's aggressive yet controlled batting helped RR lay a strong foundation. This start was pivotal in keeping the team ahead in the chase, even after losing Kohler-Cadmore early on, ensuring that RR remained in control of the game.

Middle-Order Contribution and Parag's Crucial Knock

RR’s middle order played a significant role in the chase. Captain Sanju Samson and Riyan Parag built on the foundation laid by the openers. Samson contributed a quick 20 runs before being dismissed, setting the stage for Parag to play a crucial knock. Parag scored a vital 36 off 26 balls, including several well-timed boundaries and a six.

His innings eased the pressure and brought the target within reach. The partnership between Parag and Shimron Hetmyer, who also chipped in with valuable runs, was crucial during a critical phase of the match, ensuring that RR stayed on track to achieve the target.