Virat Kohli faced another disappointment on Wednesday as Royal Challengers Bangalore were eliminated from the IPL, following a four-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad.
Rajasthan held Bangalore to 172-8, a target they surpassed with six balls remaining in the crucial playoff at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
Bengaluru and Kohli continue their wait for a first IPL title. Rajasthan will compete against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final playoff on Friday in Chennai to determine Kolkata Knight Riders’ opponent for the final on May 26.
Kolkata secured their spot in their fourth IPL final by defeating Hyderabad in the first playoff on Tuesday amid Ahmedabad’s intense heat.
Rajasthan, winners of the inaugural IPL in 2008 under the late Australian legend Shane Warne, rebounded from four losses in five matches, including a washout.
Bengaluru’s dream run came to an end after they climbed from the bottom of the table after eight matches to win six consecutive games and secure a playoff spot.
“A lot of teams would have had their wheels fall off after one win from eight,” said Bengaluru skipper Faf du Plessis. “But we made sure to give our best, and to come back like that – six games in a row – takes a lot of heart.”
Trent Boult, with figures of 1-16, and Ravichandran Ashwin, with 2-19, played pivotal roles in Rajasthan’s disciplined bowling attack after they elected to field first.
Rajasthan faced a setback in their chase when Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught behind off Cameron Green for 45, and skipper Sanju Samson was stumped for 17, both departing within five deliveries.
Riyan Parag, who scored 36, and Shimron Hetmyer, who hit 26, put together a 45-run partnership to get their chase back on track before Rovman Powell secured the win with a six in his unbeaten 16.
“We have the momentum now, so the dressing room is confident,” said Samson.
Ahmedabad remained scorching hot, with afternoon temperatures soaring above 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) for the third consecutive day.
Despite the heat, a sea of Kohli fans filled the stadium, with officials reporting over 85,000 attendees for the eliminator. Substitutes frequently ran with towels and water bottles to keep players hydrated on the field.
Most of India’s northern states have been under government heatwave alerts since last week. According to local reports, Bollywood actor and IPL team owner Shah Rukh Khan was hospitalized in Ahmedabad due to heatstroke, a day after celebrating Kolkata’s victory at the venue.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis departed early for 17 after Powell made a stunning forward diving catch off left-arm quick Trent Boult. Kohli attempted to set the pace with a 24-ball 33 but fell to Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg-spin, disappointing the crowd at the 132,000 capacity stadium.
Kohli solidified his position as the season’s leading batsman with 741 runs, including a century and five half-centuries in 15 matches.
Rajasthan’s bowlers kept the scoring in check and took regular wickets, including two in consecutive balls when off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Cameron Green for 27 and Glenn Maxwell for a duck.
Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by four wickets.
Royal Challengers Bangalore 172/8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 34, Virat Kohli 33, Mahipal Lomror 32; Avesh Khan 3/44, Ravichandran Ashwin 2/19, Trent Boult 1/16)
Rajasthan Royals 174/6 in 19 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 45, Riyan Parag 36, Shimron Hetmyer 26; Mohammed Siraj 2/36, Karn Sharma 1/19, Cameron Green 1/28).
