Royal Challengers Bengaluru put up a valiant fight, but ultimately fell short against Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator match of the 2024 Indian Premier League. Despite the loss, RCB captain Faf du Plessis expressed pride in his team's efforts, as they were able to make a strong comeback and win six games in a row to reach the playoffs. RR, on the other hand, broke their five-match losing streak and will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2, with the winner moving on to the final against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Falter in Eliminator Despite Resurgent Season
In a thrilling encounter at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) hopes of reaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) final were dashed as they suffered a narrow defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator match.
RCB, led by captain Faf du Plessis, entered the playoffs on a high note, having won six consecutive matches to qualify. However, they were unable to maintain their momentum against RR, who had been struggling in recent games.
RR, captained by Sanju Samson, won the toss and elected to bowl first. RCB openers Virat Kohli and du Plessis gave their team a solid start, putting on 50 runs for the first wicket. However, they lost wickets in quick succession, with Kohli being trapped LBW by Trent Boult and du Plessis holing out to Ravichandran Ashwin.
Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik provided a brief respite with a 40-run partnership, but both departed within a few overs. RCB eventually finished on a competitive 170/7, thanks to useful contributions from Shahbaz Ahmed (26) and Wanindu Hasaranga (23 not out).
In reply, RR's top order struggled to get going. Jos Buttler was dismissed for just 10, while Devdutt Padikkal fell for 28. Samson and Shimron Hetmyer kept RR in the hunt with a 64-run partnership, but their dismissals in quick succession left the game in the balance.
Daryl Mitchell and Riyan Parag played crucial roles in guiding RR home. Mitchell struck a quick-fire 31 off 23 balls, while Parag held his nerve under pressure, hitting a six off the penultimate ball to seal victory for his team.
Despite the defeat, du Plessis praised his team's efforts. "We had a disappointing start to the season, but we showed great character to make it to the playoffs," he said. "We're proud of what we've achieved."
RR, on the other hand, will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2. The winner of that match will advance to the final against Kolkata Knight Riders, who have already booked their place.
Top 5 FAQs Related to the Eliminator
Who was the Man of the Match?
What was the highest score in the match?
Which bowler took the most wickets?
Who were the captains of the two teams?
Where was the match played?
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and former Australian opener Justin Langer pointed out the risky single taken by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli's misjudgment, leading to the former's run-out in the fourth Test match in Melbourne. The run-out had a significant impact on India's performance as they collapsed after Jaiswal's exit. With seasoned off-spinner Nathan Lyon expected to come into play on day three, India will need to put their heads down and build a strong partnership to stay in the game against the dominating Australian side.
During Day 2 of the 4th Test between India and Australia, former BCCI chief selector MSK Prasad expressed his disappointment with Rohit Sharma's performance as both a captain and a batsman. Prasad also attributed Rohit's struggle in the series to his lack of form and match practice beforehand. Meanwhile, Steve Smith's century and a 112-run stand with captain Pat Cummins helped Australia maintain a strong lead over India on the second day of the Boxing Day Test match.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar discuss Rishabh Pant's mode of dismissal in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy fourth Test against Australia. Manjrekar points out that the wicketkeeper-batter will be questioned if he continues to get out while attempting unconventional shots. Gavaskar lambasts Pant, labeling his dismissal as 'stupid' and criticizing his shot selection. Despite Pant's early dismissal, India managed to cross the 300-run mark on Day 3 thanks to a seventh-wicket partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Follow Sportskeeda's live updates for the latest news and biddings at the IPL Auction 2025.
India's Nitish Kumar Reddy wowed the world with his extraordinary maiden Test century at the MCG, becoming the third youngest Indian to achieve the feat. After the third day's play, Reddy was welcomed by his emotional family members, including his father who had left his job to support Reddy's cricket journey. The BCCI released a video of the heartwarming reunion, capturing the overwhelming emotions of Reddy's mother, father, and sister. Reddy put up a resilient performance alongside Washington Sundar to rescue India from a precarious position and secure a potential match-saving unbeaten 105.
In a heartwarming gesture, India's Virat Kohli reached out and patted Australia's Steve Smith on the back after the latter scored his 34th Test century during the ongoing Boxing Day Test. This comes just a day after Kohli's heated altercation with Sam Konstas, which resulted in a fine from the International Cricket Council. Kohli's act of sportsmanship serves as an inspiration for all, especially after India suffered a familiar collapse after a crucial run-out on day two.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice hopes their pursuit for trophies will come to fruition in the new year, but knows they will need some help to catch up to Premier League leaders Liverpool. With a six point gap between the two teams and star winger Bukayo Saka out injured, Rice recognizes the importance of other teammates stepping up in his absence. Despite the challenges, Rice remains optimistic about his own performance and the potential for a successful season for Arsenal.
The New Zealand National Cricket Team emerged victorious in their first T20I match against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Despite a strong start by Sri Lanka, New Zealand's strong batting and strategic bowling led them to secure a dominant win, with player Kane Williamson leading the team with a record-breaking performance. Fans eagerly await the next match in the series to see if New Zealand can continue their winning streak.
Indian all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy's spectacular maiden Test century on day three of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground not only helped rescue his team from a dangerous position, but also restored a sense of fight and character in the Indian dressing room. Reddy's century, scored from a position as low as number eight, also saw him break the 122-year-old record for the highest Test score by a batter playing at number eight or lower at the MCG. The young cricketer's efforts have earned praise and given a much-needed boost to the Indian team.
Australia's Steve Smith believes that the dramatic run-out of Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal late on Day 2 was the turning point in the ongoing Boxing Day Test match. Smith pointed out that the mix-up between Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, resulting in Jaiswal's dismissal, shifted the momentum in Australia's favor. India, who were well-positioned at 153/2, suffered a late collapse and ended the day at 164/5, trailing Australia's first-innings total by 310 runs. Smith also praised Jaiswal's aggressive innings and Kohli's measured knock, while highlighting the importance of breaking their partnership.
Amidst growing concerns and criticism, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is facing a crucial phase in his Test career. With only 152 runs in his last 14 innings and a string of low scores in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, questions are being raised about his future in the longest format. As his team secures a dominant win under a new captain, chief selector Ajit Agarkar's arrival in Melbourne suggests tough decisions could be on the horizon for Rohit Sharma. All eyes will be on him in the upcoming innings, as the cricketing world awaits his response.