Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Eliminator T20 Match – Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for Rajasthan's reply. Virat Kohli doing all the talking in the Bengaluru huddle before they disperse to take their respective field positions. It will be the left-hand right-hand combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore to open the innings for Rajasthan. Bengaluru are starting with spin in the form of the Impact Player, Swapnil Singh. Let's play…

… THE RUN CHASE …

Right then, Rajasthan will feel that they have their noses in front at the halfway mark, more so with the way they finished with the ball, and they will look to take this momentum into their batting effort. However, Bengaluru have runs on the board that are handy in a knockout game, but with dew around, bowling with the wet ball will not be easy. It should be an interesting chase. Back in a bit to see how the chase unfolds.

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the stars with the ball for Rajasthan is down for a chat. He says that it has been a tournament of two halves for him and he started slow but in the last few games, he has been bowling well and feels at the top of his game. Adds that the dew has come on nicely right now and in general, there hasn't been much dew throughout the country but he is happy that it is there now. Mentions that the low scores they got were in Chennai and Guwahati where the par scores aren't that much and it is all about pressing the reset button and reckons that 172 is a par minus score.

It was one of those innings where Bengaluru promised a lot but just could not hit the top gear and have fallen way short of where they would have wanted to be. After being inserted into the bat, Bengaluru's opening pair got off to a brisk start. Faf du Plessis, however, could not kick on and Virat Kohli, who looked the better of the two openers, fell soon after. Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar then got together and ticked along nicely in the middle phase. The same pattern followed as neither Green nor Patidar were unable to convert their starts into something substantial, even with the latter being dropped when he was on 5. After Glenn Maxwell fell for a golden duck, Bengaluru would have been in a much tougher spot if it weren't for a contentious LBW decision that went in favour of Dinesh Karthik on the first ball he faced. Karthik failed to have any significant impact and Lomror perished after playing a useful hand. As a result, Bengaluru could not maximize towards the back end of the innings as they would have hoped.

Bengaluru do get 13 runs off the final over but the total of 172 does not seem to be enough at the halfway mark. Rajasthan never allowed Bengaluru to get away as they kept chipping away at the wickets throughout. For Rajasthan, Trent Boult was at his usual best in the Powerplay, keeping batters honest against the new ball. However, neither Sandeep Sharma nor Avesh Khan were able to back Boult from the other end. Boult was rewarded for his discipline before Yuzvendra Chahal got into the act to get the big wicket of Virat Kohli. Ravichandran Ashwin kept things quiet from his end and went bang, bang in his final over to put Bengaluru on the back foot. After an expensive first couple of overs, Avesh roared back and did not let the LBW decision that went against him, get to him. Bengaluru threatened a strong finish but Avesh nipped both Lomror and Karthik in the bud in a single over. Sandeep Sharma did not have the best days at the office, going for 13 runs in the final over and 48 runs in total but all in all, Rajasthan will be pleased with where they are at this stage in the game.

Sandeep Sharma to Karn Sharma, OUT! CAUGHT! Make that four catches in the match for Rovman Powell and Rajasthan finish things off with a wicket but 13 runs come off the final over. Sandeep Sharma comes from around the stumps and looks for the wide yorker but again, he serves a full toss and Karn Sharma gets under it, trying to lift it all the way over deep cover but the timing isn't quite there. Powell settles himself in the deep and takes a good catch. Bengaluru finish with 172/8!

Sandeep Sharma to Swapnil Singh, Full and wide outside off, following the batter who went a long way past the off stump and Swapnil Singh ends up getting an inside edge off the pads and onto the off side for a single.

Sandeep Sharma to Swapnil Singh, SIX! BANG! Bengaluru might just get to a defendable total here and the small things here and there in the field are costing Rajasthan. Sandeep Sharma misses the mark with the yorker and serves a full toss outside off, Swapnil Singh pre-empts it and moves across to the off side before slogging it over deep square leg for a maximum.

Sandeep Sharma to Karn Sharma, Banged in well short and outside off, this is lifted over the cover region for a single by Karn Sharma.

Sandeep Sharma to Karn Sharma, FOUR! Oh, that's gone through! A slower bumper now bowled outside off stump, Karn Sharma tries to upper cut it but cue-ends it down to backward point where Yashasvi Jaiswal sloppily lets the ball past him and it goes to the fence.

Sandeep Sharma to Swapnil Singh, Slower delivery, bowled into the deck and pushed well wide of the off stump, Swapnil Singh moves across and toe-ends the swat down to long on for just a single.

Avesh Khan to Karn Sharma, Beaten! Just five runs and a couple of wickets off that over. Takes pace off and bowls it full and around the off stump, Karn Sharma looks to steer it away but is beaten past the outside edge.

Karn Sharma is the new man in.

Avesh Khan to Mahipal Lomror, OUT! CAUGHT! This has been a fine comeback from Avesh Khan after a woeful first couple of overs and Rovman Powell holds on to his third catch of the game. Goes for the full and wide one again and gets it in the blockhole and wide enough that Mahipal Lomror is forced to hit it a bit squarer. Lomror slashes it away straight down the throat of Powell at deep point and he makes no mistake. A good hand from Lomror though.

Avesh Khan to Mahipal Lomror, FOUR! Up and over! Full and wide outside off with pace on, Mahipal Lomror knowingly opens the face of the blade and goes hard at it. The ball gets sliced over short third man for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Swapnil Singh, Another short ball around off and gets it in at a difficult height, Swapnil Singh pulls it down through mid-wicket for a single.

Swapnil Singh comes in as the Impact Player for Bengaluru. He replaces Rajat Patidar.

Avesh Khan to Dinesh Karthik, OUT! CAUGHT! Avesh Khan does get his man eventually and that will be a big relief for Rajasthan. Avesh with that heavy short ball again but goes the other way on the off-cutter with his grip and he bangs it in well short and outside off stump. Dinesh Karthik tries to go after it but is never in control and the ball gets big on him. The ball gets lofted off the toe end of the bat and over the cover region where Yashasvi Jaiswal runs back and takes a good catch to his left with both hands. Bengaluru lose their sixth wicket now.

Avesh Khan to Dinesh Karthik, No wide! Full and wide, following the batter well outside off stump. Dinesh Karthik moves a long way past the off stump and tries the reverse flick but misses.

Trent Boult to Dinesh Karthik, Comes from around the wicket for the final delivery and spears it in on middle and leg stump, Dinesh Karthik can only manage to hit it away along the turf to long on for a single.

Trent Boult to Mahipal Lomror, Full and wide of the off stump this time, Mahipal Lomror reaches out and slashes it away to deep point for a single.

Trent Boult to Mahipal Lomror, Quite full again and angled in at the toes, Mahipal Lomror manages to flick it away in front of deep mid-wicket for another brace.

Trent Boult to Mahipal Lomror, Full and straight, gets it right in the blockhole, Mahipal Lomror digs it out straight back and Trent Boult gets a big left hand on it on the followthrough.

Trent Boult to Mahipal Lomror, FOUR! Up and away! Banged in well short and wide of the off stump, Mahipal Lomror makes a bit of room and slaps it over the cover region for a boundary. The 150 also comes up for Bengaluru.

Trent Boult to Mahipal Lomror, Just misses the yorker by a few inches and serves a full toss that tails into middle and leg, Mahipal Lomror flicks it away through mid-wicket and picks up a couple of runs.

Sandeep Sharma to Mahipal Lomror, Bowls it into the deck and angles it well across the off stump, Mahipal Lomror jams it down through mid off for a single. 10 off the over.

Sandeep Sharma to Mahipal Lomror, Full and around off, Mahipal Lomror gets across the off stump and uses his wrists to whip the ball towards cow corner for a couple of runs.

Sandeep Sharma to Dinesh Karthik, Excellent delivery! Takes a bit of pace off and gets it right in the blockhole on middle and leg, Dinesh Karthik squeezes it out just behind the stumps on the leg side and gets across for a run.

Sandeep Sharma to Mahipal Lomror, Short of a length and angled across the off stump, Mahipal Lomror cuts it off the back foot towards deep point and picks up a single.

Sandeep Sharma to Dinesh Karthik, The slower bumper now, well executed and bowled right at the batter, Dinesh Karthik fends it on the on side and they scamper across for a run.

Sandeep Sharma to Dinesh Karthik, FOUR! Just too straight and Dinesh Karthik goes after it. This is full and angled down the leg side, DK gets inside the line of the ball and sweeps it on the full over backward square leg for a boundary.

Strategic break! We all need a breather after what unfolded in Avesh Khan's previous over. Dinesh Karthik should consider himself lucky to survive and will be looking to make the most of this second life. He is yet to get going though but Mahipal Lomror has done well to get a couple of boundaries away. Bengaluru need these two to provide them with a strong finish. With both spinners done for the night, Rajasthan will need their pacers to bowl as a unit to keep Bengaluru to a manageable total. Sandeep Sharma (2-0-25-0) returns to the attack.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, SIX! Much needed for Bengaluru and Mahipal Lomror gets a maximum on the final ball of the over. Tossed up full and around off, Lomror does well to get under the ball and whacks it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, A bit quicker and full on off and middle, swatted away across the line to deep mid-wicket for another single by DK.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Floats it up wide of the off stump, Mahipal Lomror reaches out and drives it firmly through covers for one more.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Bowls it flatter and drags it into the pads, Dinesh Karthik nudges it down 'round the corner and picks up a single.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Dinesh Karthik shuffles around in the crease but Chahal hones in at the stumps, DK can only manages to play it out on the off side.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Nicely tossed up, gives it a bit more air and loops it up on off stump. Dinesh Karthik eases it back to the bowler.

Avesh Khan to Dinesh Karthik, Goes full and straight, on middle, Dinesh Karthik eases it down to long on for a single.

Avesh Khan to Mahipal Lomror, Lands it on a back of a length, on off, Mahipal Lomror dabs it wide of point and gets to the other end.

Avesh Khan to Dinesh Karthik, Fuller and on off, Dinesh Karthik carves it square towards deep point for a single.

Avesh Khan to Dinesh Karthik, Given LBW but successfully overturned by Dinesh Karthik! Rajasthan cannot believe it, looking at the big screen. Angling in, honing in at the stumps, on a good length, Dinesh Karthik presses forward to clip it across the line. The ball nips back and goes past the inside edge to hit the front pad. A confident shout and up goes the finger! Dinesh Karthik thinks he is a goner but Mahipal Lomror convinces him to send it upstairs. This looked dead straight though at first glance. There is a spike on UltraEdge. When the ball was next to the bat, the bat was hitting the pad but the third umpire is convinced that Karthik has gotten an inside edge. The on-field decision is overturned. Dinesh Karthik survives a huge scare.

Dinesh Karthik walks out to bat with Bengaluru in a spot of some bother.

Avesh Khan to Rajat Patidar, OUT! CAUGHT! Avesh Khan fights back in grand style! A massive blow to Bengaluru as the well-set Rajat Patidar departs and they have now lost half their side. Avesh digs it in short but the line is much better from him, around off and bowls it with pace, Rajat Patidar backs away and tries to play a sort of a forehand shot down the ground. Gets it high on the bat and fails to clear mid off. Riyan Parag standing on the ring back pedals and takes it over his head.

Avesh Khan to Rajat Patidar, SIX! Asking to be hit and Rajat Patidar obliges! Avesh attempts a bumper but gets it completely wrong, down leg and Rajat Patidar gets it a good height. He does not miss out as he helps the pull away over fine leg for a maximum.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Serves it on a fullish length, around the leg-stump line, Rajat Patidar clears his front leg and whips it through mid-wicket for a single to end the over. A good one for Bengaluru, 19 runs off it.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, FOUR! Hammered away! Quicker one, pushed through full and wide of the off stump, Rajat Patidar throws his hands at it and hits it hard over covers for a boundary.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, Tossed up on middle and leg, pushed down to long on for a single.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Mahipal Lomror, SIX! Uh, oh! Yashasvi Jaiswal does good work on the fence but eventually, he spills the ball over the fence. Tossed up on the stumps, Mahipal Lomror gets down on one knee and slog-sweeps it high to the left of deep mid-wicket. Jaiswal runs across and takes a fine running catch but just can't keep his balance and goes over the ropes.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Pushed through quicker again but a bit more straighter, Rajat Patidar heaves it away to deep mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, SIX! Rajat Patidar finally gets hold of one ball and he needs to make full use of the life he received earlier on. Pushed through quicker and fuller onto middle and leg, Patidar slog-sweeps it away and swings the bat freely to hit it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, Turning away, on a nagging length, on off, Mahipal Lomror hangs back in his crease and defends it out. Sensational over from Ashwin, two wickets and just the two runs off it.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Mahipal Lomror, Mahipal Lomror sees off the hat-trick ball. Comes from around the wicket and bowls it short, on off, Mahipal Lomror goes back in his crease and stabs it down the deck.

Mahipal Lomror walks out to face the hat-trick ball.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! TAKEN! Ravichandran Ashwin with the double whammy! No show from the 'Big Show'. Ashwin tosses it up and entices Maxwell into the big shot, full and around off. Maxwell falls for the trap as he looks to launch it back over the bowler's head. Does not get the desired connection and it goes only as far as long on where Dhruv Jurel does not make any mistake this time and completes a safe catch well inside the ropes. A golden duck for Maxwell and Ashwin will be on a hat-trick now.

Glenn Maxwell walks in at number 5.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Rovman Powell makes no mistake! Another well-judged catch from Powell and finally, Ravichandran Ashwin has a wicket to his name. This one does not turn and goes straight, full and on middle, Cameron Green backs away early and shapes up to go inside out over cover. He plays for the turn but there isn't any. Slices it in the air towards extra cover. Rovman Powell is stationed there, back pedals a bit and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through. He falls over but completes a reverse cup catch near his face.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Angling in from over the wicket, on a length, Rajat Patidar backs away to heave it across the line. Inside edges it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, Sees the batter advance and pulls the length back, on middle, Cameron Green adjusts well and pushes it to wide long off for a single.

Avesh Khan to Cameron Green, A well-executed yorker, outside off, Cameron Green digs it out towards extra cover where Yashasvi Jaiswal is standing on the ring. Rajat Patidar gets sent back and Jaiswal has a shy at the bowling end. He misses and the ball rolls away to deep mid-wicket, allowing the batters to run an overthrow.

Avesh Khan to Cameron Green, FOUR! Hit straight back and hit with brute force! Avesh gets the length wrong and delivers a low full toss, outside off, Cameron Green clears his front leg and smacks it through the line. Hits it back over the head of the umpire for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Rajat Patidar, Nails the yorker again, outside off, Rajat Patidar jams it out towards deep backward point but the fielder is placed in the deep now and he cuts it off. A single taken.

Avesh Khan to Rajat Patidar, FOUR! Plays it finer this time and gets the reward! Dishes it out on a fullish length, outside off, Rajat Patidar opens the face of his bat and glides it past backward point. Gets the placement right and beats the sliding Trent Boult in the deep for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Rajat Patidar, Goes for the yorker again, around off, Rajat Patidar squeezes it out with an open bat face to the left of deep point for a couple of runs.

Avesh Khan to Cameron Green, Starts off with a low full toss, on middle, Cameron Green drills it down to long on and gets to the other end.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, Keeps it flat and short, on off, knocked down the ground to long on for one.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Bowls it on a length, on off, Rajat Patidar drives it to deep cover for a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, DROPPED! Dhruv Jurel does all the hard work but shells it in the end! You just cannot afford to drop a player like Rajat Patidar. Big moment in the game. Ashwin drops it short and it goes straight on, middle, Rajat Patidar goes back in his crease for the pull shot. Skies it off the bottom part of the bat. It goes high near the mid on region. Dhruv Jurel runs in from long on and gets there but fails to hang on. How costly will this prove?

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Nearly sneaked through! Flicks it from the front of the hand, shorter and quicker, on off, Rajat Patidar fails to pick the variation. Miscues the drive back to the bowler.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, WIDE! Errs in line and length too, too full and down leg, Rajat Patidar lets it go for a wide.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, This one goes straight, short and flat, on the off-stump line, Rajat Patidar punches it back to the bowler.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, Serves the carrom ball, short and on off, Cameron Green hangs back and hits it along the ground to long off for one.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Cameron Green, Nicely bowled! Flighted one on off and middle, turning away, Cameron Green looks to fetch and slog across the line but gets it off the toe end of the bat down to long on for just a single.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, No timing so far for Rajat Patidar. Dragged down around the waist, Patidar looks to stand tall and pull it away but mistimes it aerially down to deep mid-wicket for one.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Nicely looped up, full and dipping late on the batter, Rajat Patidar gets yorked but manages to jam it out.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Cameron Green, Tossed up fuller and wide of the off stump, Cameron Green reaches out again and plays it away through extra cover for a single.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Cameron Green, FOUR! Overcompensation from Yuzvendra Chahal and Cameron Green was just waiting for it. Too short and too wide, Green reaches out and smacks the ball through the cover region for a boundary.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Cameron Green, SIX! Colossal hit from Cameron Green! Chahal drifts this one full and onto middle and leg stump, Green just clears the front leg and smokes the ball over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flatter delivery aimed at the stumps, Rajat Patidar stays compact and just pushes it wide of long on for a couple of quick runs. Good running!

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Flighted ball, angling into the pads, Rajat Patidar goes for the slog-sweep again but misses and the ball goes off the pads to backward point.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, Fractionally short over middle, Cameron Green forces it off the back foot through wide mid on and picks up another single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Stump-to-stump bowling, Rajat Patidar heaves it away to long on and rotates the strike.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Rajat Patidar, Drifted into the pads, Rajat Patidar just deflects the ball off the pads and straight to a squarish short fine leg.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, On the fuller side and bowled onto the off stump, this is driven down to long off for a single by Green.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Cameron Green, Top start from Yuzvendra Chahal as he picks up a wicket and goes for just 2 runs in his first over. Flatter and around off, Cameron Green gets on the front foot and pushes it down to long off for one.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Cameron Green, Bowled a bit flatter and pushed through around off stump, Cameron Green punches it away to covers.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Even fuller this time and drifted into middle and leg, Rajat Patidar goes for the slog-sweep but gets it off the inner half of the bat past square leg for one.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rajat Patidar, Nice and full at the stumps, Rajat Patidar watchfully blocks it out.

Rajat Patidar walks out to the middle.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and Yuzvendra Chahal has got the big fish right away. Tosses this one up again and bowls it full around off stump. Virat Kohli goes for the favored slog-sweep and whips it away towards deep mid-wicket but the connection just isn't perfect. The ball goes a bit flat and towards the substitute fielder Donovan Ferreira who settles himself a few inches inside the ropes and takes a fine catch. Chahal is pumped up and Kohli departs after a promising start.

Yuzvendra Chahal to Virat Kohli, Gives it some air first up and tosses it on middle stump, Virat Kohli looks for the big slog-sweep but miscues it back to the bowler.

Strategic break! It was one of those Powerplays where neither side could surge ahead and it has been a cagey affair so far. For Rajasthan, the runs leaked from the other end but Trent Boult kept it quiet at his end and got rewarded for it as well. With the ease in the fielding restrictions, Sanju Samson will be aiming to stem the flow of runs through spin. As for Bengaluru, Virat Kohli is looking in great nick and will look to keep the runs flowing in the middle phase, something which he has done all season but he will need support from Cameron Green at the other end. It will be spin from both ends as Yuzvendra Chahal will bowl after the break.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Tidy start from Ravichandran Ashwin, just 6 runs off it. Flighted ball, bowled on a length and on middle and leg, Kohli just nudges it away through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, Sees the batter advancing and fires it in the blockhole, Cameron Green digs the ball down to long off for one more.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, WIDE! Trying to sneak one past the batter but Cameron Green stays put and the ball is spilled down leg for a wide.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, Looked like the carrom ball, bowled on a length and on leg stump, Cameron Green leaves it alone and the ball goes off the pads past the keeper.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin follows Virat Kohli down the leg side and fires it in at the pads, Kohli manages to push it out wide of mid off for a single.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Cameron Green, Nicely tossed up on middle and leg, Cameron Green keeps the front leg out of the way and drives it down to long on for one more.

Ravichandran Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Floats it up on a good length and over middle stump, Virat Kohli works it away in front of square on the leg side for a single.

First look at spin as Ravichandran Ashwin comes on to bowl.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, Slower and into the pitch around off, Virat Kohli waits on it well and plays a controlled pull shot past square leg for a run. The 50 comes up for Bengaluru on the stroke of the end of the Powerplay.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, FOUR! In the air but in the gap! Pitched up at the batter, Virat Kohli uses his feet to come down the pitch and uses the bottom hand to whip it wide of mid on for a boundary. That also brings up 8000 runs in the Indian T20 League for King Kohli and he becomes the first man to do so.

Sandeep Sharma to Cameron Green, Momentarily in the air! Good length over middle, Cameron Green punches it from the crease and the ball goes on the bounce to the left of mid off for a run.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, A bit fuller and at the stumps, Virat Kohli makes a bit of room and taps the ball wide of mid off for a quick single.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, Good length around middle and angling in, Virat Kohli just tucks it behind square leg and picks up a couple of runs in the deep.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Up and over! Pitched up around off stump, and floated up to the batter, Virat Kohli just hits through the line of the ball and smashes it over wide mid off for a boundary.

Sandeep Sharma (1-0-12-0) is back on.

Trent Boult to Cameron Green, Pitches it up and this is around off, Cameron Green gets on the front foot and knocks it to cover. End of a wicket-taking over from Boult.

Trent Boult to Cameron Green, Angling across the batter, near the tramline on off, Cameron Green lets it go. Green challenges the wide decision but the replays show that the ball was just inside the wide guideline. Bengaluru lose a review.

Cameron Green has been sent in at number 3.

Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, OUT! WHAT A GRAB! Rovman Powell, you beauty! Hit extremely hard but Powell was equal to the task. Trent Boult gets rewarded for disciplined bowling. Boult bangs it on a hard length, over middle, Faf du Plessis skips down the track and gives himself room. Frees his arms and nails the pull flat towards deep mid-wicket. A couple of inches to the left or right and it would have been a boundary. Faf hits it straight towards Powell at deep mid-wicket. This is travelling at the rate of noughts and it is dipping on him as well. Powell swoops in and dives in front to take it inches off the turf.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Leg bye! This is on a back of a length, on middle, Virat Kohli misses the nudge as he gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball drops at Kohli's feet off the thigh pad and Faf du Plessis calls him through for a quick single.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Missed out! Boult errs in length and serves a juicy full toss, Virat Kohli backs away but does not have much room to work with. Slices the drive straight to cover-point.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Good placement and the running is even better. Shaping in, on a length, on middle, Virat Kohli waits on it and drops it with soft hands to the right of deep mid-wicket. Kohli scampers back for the second run.

Avesh Khan to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Make that 17 off Avesh's first over. Angling into the right-hander from over the wicket, on middle, on a length, Faf du Plessis clears his front leg and swats it in front of square on the leg side. This one comes off the lower part of the bat but the ball races past mid-wicket for a boundary.

Avesh Khan to Virat Kohli, Pitches it on a length, around off, Virat Kohli steers it with an open bat face to deep third and rotates the strike. 13 runs off the over so far.

Avesh Khan to Faf du Plessis, Keeps it around off, on a back of a length, Faf du Plessis runs it down to deep third for one.

Avesh Khan to Faf du Plessis, FOUR! Avesh bowls it with an upright seam, on a good length, outside off, Faf du Plessis walks right across his stumps to scoop it past short fine leg. The ball comes off the thigh pad and races past short fine leg for a boundary. Signalled as runs by the umpire so Faf du Plessis seems to have gotten an inside edge on it.

Avesh Khan to Virat Kohli, Changes his length now as this is on a good length, slower as well, on off, Virat Kohli eases it square to deep point for a single.

Avesh Khan to Virat Kohli, SIX! Virat Kohli welcomes Avesh Khan with a maximum! Avesh begins with a bumper aimed at the helmet of the batter, Virat Kohli swivels in the crease and fetches the pull from over his head. Controls it well and hits it flat over deep backward square leg for a maximum.

Avesh Khan now comes into the attack.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Bangs it on a hard length, over middle, Virat Kohli pulls it through mid-wicket for just a single. Back-to-back tidy overs from Boult, just 3 runs off this one.

Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Hurls it around the leg-stump line, on a length, Faf du Plessis moves leg side and tries to hack it across the line. Gets it off the inner half of the right of mid on for one.

Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Good bumper! Boult bends his back and digs it in short, at the helmet of the batter, Faf du Plessis thinks about taking it on but changes his mind, drops his wrists and lets the ball go through.

Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Tucks the batter up for room with a hard-length delivery, Faf du Plessis wants to access the leg side but fails to get the shot away and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, This is on a short of a length, over middle, Virat Kohli skips down the track and tries to go big on the leg side. Gets a bottom edge that rolls down to fine leg for one.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Lands it on a good length, on off, Virat Kohli gets on the front foot and dabs it in front of cover.

Sandeep Sharma to Faf du Plessis, A direct hit but Faf du Plessis looks safe! Pulls the length back and keeps it on the off-stump line, Faf du Plessis pats it wide of cover and looks for a quick single. Kohli sends him back and du Plessis gets back before the throw hits the stumps at the batting end. The ball deflects off the stumps and rolls away to short square leg but the batters opt not to take the run on the overthrow.

Sandeep Sharma to Faf du Plessis, SIX! BANG! Straight as an arrow! Too full and it is right in the slot, on off, Faf du Plessis stays leg side of the ball and swings through the line. Launches it back over the bowler's head for a flat six.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, Full and this one swings back in, on middle and leg, Virat Kohli drags the shot to deep mid-wicket off the inner half of the bat for one.

Sandeep Sharma to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Wristy by Kohli to get the first boundary of the Eliminator! At pace and attacks the stumps does Sandeep Sharma, on a good length, Virat Kohli brings his writs into play and whips it to the right of long on for a boundary.

Sandeep Sharma to Faf du Plessis, Almost dragged it back onto the stumps! In the channel on off, on a good length, the ball comes on slower than Faf anticipated, Faf du Plessis frees his arms to flat bat this one. Goes through his shot early and gets an inside edge that rolls past the stumps. They cross.

Sandeep Sharma to Faf du Plessis, Takes pace off first up does Sandeep Sharma and serves it on a length, on off, Faf du Plessis reads it well and pushes it to mid off.

Sandeep Sharma to operate from the other end.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Play and a miss! Going across the batter from over the wicket, on a hard length, over off, Virat Kohli gives the bowler the charge and has a swipe across the line. The ball sneaks under the bat and goes over the off pole.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Delivers it on a length and swinging back in, at the stumps, Virat Kohli covers the line of the ball and defends it out solidly.

Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Leg bye! Gets the yorker in, tailing back in sharply at the toes, Faf du Plessis is late to get his bat down and falls over. The ball catches him low on the pads but the impact is outside leg. The batters cross as the ball rolls down to fine leg.

Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, This one hoops back in a long way, on a back of a length, around middle, Faf du Plessis gets beaten all ends up as the ball nips back in and hits him high on the thigh pad.

Trent Boult to Faf du Plessis, Gets some shape this time does Boult! At 136.4 kph, shaping into the right-hander, on a good length, on middle and leg, Faf du Plessis accounts for the inward movement and stabs it down the deck.

Trent Boult to Virat Kohli, Virat Kohli and Bengaluru are away! Boult hits the hard length from over the wicket, at the body of the batter, Virat Kohli hops back in the crease and helps it down to fine leg for a single to get off the mark.

We are all set for the Eliminator to get underway! The two umpires make their way out to the middle and they are followed by the players of Rajasthan who stride through the fireworks. Then comes a roaring applause from the crowd as Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis come out through the fireworks to open the innings for Bengaluru. The man with an immaculate record of 28 wickets to his name in the first over of the Indian T20 League, Trent Boult will take the new ball. There's one slip in place and it is time to play…

Glenn Maxwell is up for a chat. He says that it has been a pretty phenomenal comeback from the team. Tells that they got into every game thinking the worst-case scenario and played an entertaining brand of cricket. Shares that they had their meetings halfway through the tournament on how they can turn things around. Adds that the group responded well by rectifying their mistakes. Reckons that staying positive in T20s is important and once you get a couple of the middle of the bat, it all starts to click. Says that Yash Dayal has been outstanding and that he has been the backbone of their bowling attack.

The skipper of Bengaluru, Faf du Plessis says that they would have bowled first as well with the dew being the reason to do so. Tells that there was assistance for the seamers early on but this surface looks on the drier side with some fake grass on top. Hopes to provide a great start with the bat. Feels that it is important to stay true to the way they want to play regardless of the stage in the competition. Ends by informing that they are going with the same team as the last game.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan says that they would like to bowl first given the conditions and the last game here. Adds that it is all about the mindset and how clear you are on the day and he is looking forward to the game. Mentions that looking at what cricket has taught them is that when you have bad days, you need to be mentally ready to bounce back. Informs that injuries are a part of the tournament but they do have Shimron Hetmyer back and the rest of the team remains the same.

Impact players nominated by Bengaluru – Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Himanshu Sharma.

Bengaluru (Unchanged Playing XI) – Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Mahipal Lomror, Yash Dayal, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson.

Impact players nominated by Rajasthan – Nandre Burger, Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, Tanush Kotian, Shimron Hetmyer.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal (In for Nandre Burger).

TOSS – The coin toss lands in the favour of Rajasthan and they have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT – Ian Bishop is pitchside. He says that the boundaries were equidistant in the last game but now it is 61 meters on one side of the square and 68 meters on the other side and 73 meters straight. Matthew Hayden joins him and says that it is very similar to Qualifier 1 and it is dry and firm with a bit more grass cover. He adds that the dew affected the game last night and reckons there is so much water in the surface that the dew point is created and there will be some movement for the seamers. Reckons that it is a high-scoring wicket and the toss could be crucial.

On the flip side, Bengaluru have scripted a comeback for the ages and are riding high on confidence coming into the playoffs. After losing 7 out of their first 8 games and seemingly being out of contention, they rallied to win their next 6 games to secure a playoff berth. Bengaluru rely heavily on their top order, consisting of Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Rajat Patidar. This trio must deliver if the team is to go the distance. Yash Dayal has led Bengaluru's resurgence with the ball, but a collective effort from Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson, and Swapnil Singh remains crucial to the team's success. With a spot in Qualifier 2 against Hyderabad at stake, a thrilling showdown awaits. Which of these two sides will earn the right to go to Chennai? Let's find out. Toss and teams coming up in a bit.

Rajasthan, though, have only themselves to blame for the position they have put themselves in and are now in the last chance saloon. With 8 wins from 9 matches, they seemed poised for a top-two finish but lost steam towards the business end of the competition. Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson will need to rediscover their early-season form, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been short of runs lately, is due for a big score, and there cannot be a better opportunity than the playoffs. As demonstrated last night in Qualifier 1, where Mitchell Starc rose to the occasion for Kolkata, Rajasthan will need their key bowlers, such as Trent Boult, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin, to come to the party.

Hello and a warm welcome, everyone! It's Eliminator time in the 2024 Indian T20 League, which sees Rajasthan go up against Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. We have reached the stage in the competition where even the slightest slip-up could spell the end of the road for either team. This clash features two teams with contrasting forms, and the momentum currently favouring Bengaluru might prove decisive in determining the outcome.

… MATCH DAY …

Just three games remain in the 2024 Indian T20 League, and the attention now shifts to the Eliminator, where Rajasthan will take on Bengaluru at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is a do-or-die clash, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2, where they will play Hyderabad, the loser of Qualifier 1, for a place in the final, while the loser will be knocked out of the competition. Rajasthan had a stellar start to the season, winning 8 of their first 9 games and looking poised for a top-two finish. However, they lost their next four matches, and their last league stage clash was washed out, resulting in them finishing outside the top two in the third spot. It is now or never for Rajasthan if they are to pick themselves up and make a serious run for the title. The onus will be on Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, and Riyan Parag, who have been their mainstays throughout the league stage, to deliver in this crucial match. With Jos Buttler absent and uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Shimron Hetmyer, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rovman Powell will need to step up and perform. While Yuzvendra Chahal has been expensive at times, he remains among the wickets, and Ravichandran Ashwin has found his form in the last few games. In the pace department, Sandeep Sharma, Trent Boult, and Avesh Khan have experienced a dip in form recently, and their performances will be crucial to Rajasthan's success in the playoffs. As far as Bengaluru are concerned, their journey to the playoffs has been nothing short of a remarkable comeback. The Faf du Plessis-led unit was languishing at the bottom of the table, having lost 7 out of their first 8 matches, and not many backed them to make it to the playoffs. Since then, they have won 6 games on the trot to qualify for their 9th playoff appearance. Virat Kohli has been instrumental in leading the turnaround with the bat, reinventing his batting approach. However, it hasn't been a one-man show, with Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, and Dinesh Karthik stepping up at crucial moments. The Australian duo of Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell are due for a big score with the bat, and the playoffs present the perfect stage for them to deliver. In the bowling department, it has been a season of redemption for Yash Dayal, while Mohammed Siraj has found his rhythm in the latter half of the league stage, making a significant impact. Swapnil Singh has contributed effectively, and Cameron Green has shown his prowess with the ball, adding depth to their attack. Momentum is crucial in playoff games, and Bengaluru, riding high on their six-game winning streak, have it in abundance. Will Rajasthan rediscover their early-season form and halt Bengaluru's juggernaut? Or will it be Bengaluru who march one step closer to their maiden Indian T20 League title? We shall find out.