Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Eliminator IPL Match 2024: On April 21, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered a heartbreaking loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), falling short by just one run in their pursuit of a 200-plus target. This defeat marked their seventh setback in eight matches, relegating them to the bottom of the league standings. Despite the gloomy atmosphere surrounding their season, RCB fans hoped for a slim chance for their team to turn things around, albeit against considerable odds.
Since then, RCB has staged a remarkable comeback, reminiscent of the inspiring narratives often found in sports dramas. They didn't just win six consecutive matches; they did so with commanding performances, securing victories by margins of 35 runs, 24 balls remaining, 38 balls remaining, 60 runs, 47 runs, and 27 runs. This surge not only bolstered their net run-rate but also propelled them above three other teams with equal points, securing a sensational last-minute entry into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals (RR) seemed unstoppable, clinching their eighth win in nine games and maintaining their hold on the top spot in the league standings. However, their downfall came unexpectedly. It started with narrow defeats in high-scoring chases, followed by losses on challenging pitches in Chennai and Guwahati. Despite enduring a four-match losing streak and having their final league fixture washed out, RR could have secured the second spot if not for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) winning their last game. Although RR had built a strong safety net with their early victories, it wasn't enough to grant them a second chance at reaching the final.
The significance of confidence and momentum in sports cannot be overstated. The contrasting fortunes of RCB and RR exemplify the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Moreover, the role of experience cannot be ignored. As RR enters the Eliminator without any prior experience in high-pressure knockout matches this season, RCB holds a distinct advantage, having already competed and triumphed in six such encounters.
Previous meeting
In Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals (RR) secured their fourth consecutive victory, while Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) suffered their fourth defeat in five matches. Virat Kohli's innings of 113 runs off 72 balls, although equaling the record for the slowest IPL century, marked a notable contrast to his recent performances characterized by increased pace. However, the remaining RCB batters failed to make significant contributions, a trend that has since undergone a transformation. Despite Kohli's impressive century, RCB concluded their innings at 183 for 3.
In the successful chase, RR was led by Jos Buttler's century, yet his absence is now felt within the team. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson contributed 69 runs off 42 balls. However, his form has dipped recently, with only one instance of passing the 20-run mark in his last four innings.
RR vs RCB Live Streaming Details
The IPL 2024 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be televised live on the Star Sports Network. Additionally, viewers can catch the live stream of the RR vs RCB IPL 2024 match on the JioCinema app and website.
RR vs RCB Toss
The pitch for the Eliminator will be a different strip from the one used for Tuesday's Qualifier 1. The range of scores also vary significantly depending on the surface. There was only one match with 175-plus scores in the first four league matches in Ahmedabad, but the last two league games had scores of 200 for 3, 206 for 1 (RCB), 231 for 3 and 196 for 8. RR have not played a game in Ahmedabad this season. Team winning the toss would like to go for batting first and let the opposition chase.
RR vs RCB Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch has been fair and equitable, catering to the skills of all types of players. As the season draws to a close, the wicket may start showing signs of wear, potentially offering a bit more assistance to the spinners.
RR vs RCB Weather Conditions
Ahmedabad is expected to remain dry on Wednesday, with scorching daytime temperatures ranging from 40-45°C and only slightly cooler evenings between 30-35°C. The presence of dew during the match will hinge on the variance between the day and night temperatures.
RR vs RCB Head to Head
In the 31 encounters between the Rajasthan Royals and the Royal Challengers Bangalore, three matches ended without a clear result. Among the remaining 28 games, Royal Challengers Bangalore holds a narrow advantage with 15 victories, while the Rajasthan Royals have secured 13 wins.
RR vs RCB Playing 11 Prediction
In their recent encounter against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) reintroduced Glenn Maxwell into the playing XI following Will Jacks' departure to England. Maxwell made a swift impact, scoring 16 runs off just 5 balls and striking with the first delivery of the defense, ultimately finishing with figures of 1 for 25 in four overs. RCB is expected to maintain their lineup, with either Rajat Patidar or left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh earning a starting spot in the XI, while the other serves as the Impact Player depending on the team's batting or bowling order.
Rajasthan Royals (RR), on the other hand, have faced challenges in their previous matches despite winning the toss. Opting to bat first, they fell short of par scores, prompting a reassessment of their strategy. By fielding a lineup with six specialist batters and five bowlers, RR aims to optimize their Impact Player strategy. This setup allows flexibility, enabling them to introduce a sixth specialist bowler if needed during the chase without compromising their batting depth. However, RR's approach may vary depending on the match conditions and the opponent's strengths. Against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Guwahati, they adjusted their lineup mid-game, reinforcing their batting lineup with an extra batter due to a collapse.
While Shimron Hetmyer, sidelined since May 2 due to injury, was deemed fit for RR's last league fixture, he did not feature in the starting XI or the substitutes' bench for the abbreviated seven-over contest, which was ultimately abandoned. If Hetmyer is available for the Eliminator, RR could consider him as a replacement for either Rovman Powell or Donovan Ferreira.
RR Probable 11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson (capt & wk), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, R Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rovman Powell/Donovan Ferreira/Nandre Burger (12th Man)
RCB Probable 11: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (capt), Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mahipal Lomror, Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj (12th Man)
RR vs RCB Squads
Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (c), Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Kunal Rathore, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Sen, Navdeep Saini, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abid Mushtaq, Nandre Burger, Tanush Kotian.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Faf du Plessis (c), Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Anuj Rawat, Dinesh Karthik, Suyash Prabhudessai, Will Jacks, Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Manoj Bhandage, Mayank Dagar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Reece Topley, Himanshu Sharma, Rajan Kumar, Cameron Green, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Tom Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Swapnil Singh, Saurav Chauhan.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
