R Ashwin’s Double Strike Shatters RCB’s IPL Trophy Dream

On May 22, 2024, in the Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals, the same story repeated. Despite coming into the game with seven straight wins, RCB couldn’t handle the pressure. Rajasthan Royals stepped up and knocked them out. RCB started well but failed to score big, and their bowlers couldn’t defend the target. It was another heartbreak for RCB and their fans. Let’s take a look back at that night when RCB’s dream was crushed once again by a strong and confident Rajasthan Royals team.

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 22nd May 2024

In the IPL 2024 Eliminator on May 22 in Ahmedabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) posted 172 for 8 in 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals (RR). RR chose to bowl first on a red-soil pitch, expecting dew to aid the chase. RCB’s innings relied on Virat Kohli’s start and late contributions from Mahipal Lomror, but RR’s bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Avesh Khan, kept them in check.

Kohli and Faf du Plessis opened, facing Trent Boult’s tight spell of 4 overs for 16 runs and 1 wicket. Boult dismissed du Plessis for 17 off 14 balls (2 fours, 1 six) in the fifth over, caught by Rovman Powell’s diving effort at deep midwicket. RCB reached 37 for 1 in the powerplay. Kohli, scoring 33 off 24 balls (3 fours, 1 six), fell to Yuzvendra Chahal in the eighth over, caught at deep midwicket, leaving RCB at 58 for 2. Kohli’s 33 included a milestone as he became the first to reach 8000 IPL runs.

Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar added 38 runs. Green scored 27 off 21 balls (2 fours, 1 six) before Ashwin dismissed him in the 13th over, caught by Powell. Ashwin struck again, removing Glenn Maxwell for 0 off 1 ball, caught by Dhruv Jurel, marking Maxwell’s 19th IPL duck. RCB were 97 for 4 after 13 overs. Ashwin’s 4 overs yielded 2 for 19, with an economy of 4.75, earning him Player of the Match.

Patidar’s 34 off 22 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) included a six off Chahal, but Avesh Khan ended his stay in the 15th over, caught at mid-off, making it 125 for 5. Avesh’s 4 overs cost 44 runs but fetched 3 wickets. Dinesh Karthik, possibly in his last IPL game, scored 11 off 13 balls (1 four) and survived a controversial lbw call in the 15th over after a review showed bat involvement. He fell to Avesh, caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal, leaving RCB at 159 for 6 in the 19th over.

Lomror’s 32 off 17 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) provided a late surge, with a six off Chahal in the 16th over. Swapnil Singh, the Impact Player, added 9 off 4 balls (1 six). Karn Sharma’s 5 off 4 balls (1 four) helped, but Sandeep Sharma dismissed him in the final over, caught by Powell, who took 4 catches. Sandeep’s 4 overs went for 48 runs with 1 wicket. RCB’s death overs (16-20) produced 47 runs for 3 wickets, with a run rate of 11.96.

RR’s bowling was disciplined, with Chahal’s 1 for 43 in 4 overs and Boult’s early control proving crucial. RCB’s 172 was below par, as Faf du Plessis later noted, estimating the pitch suited 180. Despite Kohli’s effort and Lomror’s cameo, RCB’s middle-order collapse and Maxwell’s failure meant they couldn’t set a challenging total, setting the stage for RR’s chase.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) chased 173 in 19 overs, finishing at 174 for 6, to defeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2024 Eliminator on May 22 in Ahmedabad. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 45 and late heroics from Rovman Powell, who took 4 catches earlier, secured RR’s spot in Qualifier 2. RCB’s bowlers fought, but fielding errors and RR’s composure sealed the win.

RR’s chase began cautiously, reaching 47 for 1 in the powerplay. Jaiswal, scoring 45 off 30 balls (8 fours), survived drops by Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell. Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s 20 off 15 balls (4 fours) ended in the sixth over, bowled by Lockie Ferguson’s 125 kph slower yorker, leaving RR at 47 for 1. Ferguson’s 4 overs cost 37 runs with 1 wicket. Jaiswal and Sanju Samson added 51 runs, with Samson scoring 17 off 13 balls (1 six). Swapnil Singh’s 2 overs went for 19 runs, while Yash Dayal’s 3 overs leaked 37 runs, including 16 in his third over.

Green dismissed Jaiswal in the 10th over, caught by Dinesh Karthik for 45 after a reviewed glove, making it 85 for 2. Karn Sharma struck next, stumping Samson in the 11th over, reducing RR to 98 for 3. Karn’s 2 overs yielded 1 for 19. Riyan Parag anchored with 36 off 26 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes), while Dhruv Jurel’s 8 off 8 balls (1 four) ended in a tight run-out by Virat Kohli’s throw and Green’s fumble, ruled out by millimetres, leaving RR at 115 for 4 after 14 overs.

Shimron Hetmyer, the Impact Player, scored 26 off 14 balls (3 fours, 1 six), partnering Parag for 45 runs. Green’s 4 overs cost 28 runs with 1 wicket, his slower balls were effective. Mohammed Siraj sparked hope, dismissing Parag, bowled for 36 at 139.6 kph, and Hetmyer, caught by Faf du Plessis’ stunning effort, leaving RR at 160 for 6 in the 18th over, needing 13 off 12. Siraj’s 4 overs went for 33 runs with 2 wickets, his death-over economy at 10.29.

Powell, unbeaten on 16 off 8 balls (2 fours, 1 six), clinched the win. In the 19th over, he edged two fours and lofted a six off Ferguson’s slower ball, finishing the chase with 6 balls to spare. RR’s death overs (16-20) scored 47 runs for 2 wickets, mirroring RCB’s effort. Jaiswal’s 150 strike rate and Parag’s 537 runs in IPL 2024 average 59.66, were key. Hetmyer’s 185.71 strike rate in the clutch proved decisive.

RCB’s fielding lapses, including Maxwell’s drop, and two lost reviews hurt. Despite Siraj’s fire and Green’s tight spell, RR’s batting depth and Powell’s calm under pressure prevailed. Ashwin noted the dew helped, while Samson praised the young batters. RR’s first win since April 27 ended RCB’s six-match streak as they were eliminated from the tournament, while the Rajasthan Royals booked their appointment with Sunrisers Hyderabad for the Qualifier 2.