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Virat Kohli and Bengaluru’s IPL Hopes Fade as Rajasthan Triumph in Play-Off
Virat Kohli experienced yet another disappointment on Wednesday as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru were eliminated from the IPL following a four-wicket defeat to the Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad.
Rajasthan limited Bengaluru to 172-8, a target they successfully chased down with six balls remaining in the high-stakes play-off at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
The wait for an IPL title continues for both Bengaluru and Kohli. Rajasthan will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final play-off on Friday in Chennai to determine who will challenge Kolkata Knight Riders in the final on May 26.
Kolkata reached their fourth IPL final by defeating Hyderabad in the first play-off on Tuesday, also in Ahmedabad’s scorching conditions.
Key contributions came from Trent Boult, who claimed 1-16, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who took 2-19, forming a crucial part of Rajasthan’s disciplined bowling unit after electing to field first.
Rajasthan’s chase wobbled when Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught behind off Cameron Green for 45 and captain Sanju Samson was stumped out for 17 in quick succession.
Riyan Parag, with 36 runs, and Shimron Hetmyer, who added 26, combined for a 45-run partnership to steady the innings before Rovman Powell sealed the win with an unbeaten 16, finishing with a six.
Rajasthan, the winners of the inaugural IPL in 2008 under the late Australian legend Shane Warne, rebounded impressively from four losses in five matches, including one washout.
Bengaluru’s remarkable journey, rising from the bottom of the table after eight matches to win six consecutive games and make the play-offs, came to an end.
The intense heat in Ahmedabad persisted, with afternoon temperatures soaring above 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) for the third consecutive day.
Despite the heat, a large contingent of Kohli fans filled the stadium, with officials reporting over 85,000 attendees for the eliminator.
Substitutes were busy supplying towels and water bottles to keep players hydrated under the extreme conditions. Northern India has been under government heatwave alerts since last week.
Reports indicate Bollywood star and IPL team owner Shah Rukh Khan was hospitalized in Ahmedabad due to a heatstroke, a day after celebrating Kolkata’s victory at the venue.
Earlier in the match, skipper Faf du Plessis was dismissed early for 17, thanks to a spectacular forward diving catch by Powell off left-arm pacer Boult.
Kohli tried to maintain momentum with his 24-ball 33 but was eventually dismissed by Yuzvendra Chahal’s leg-spin, much to the disappointment of the massive crowd in the 132,000-capacity stadium.
Kohli finished as the season’s leading batsman, amassing 741 runs including a century and five half-centuries in 15 matches.
Rajasthan’s bowlers kept the scoring in check, taking regular wickets. Ashwin claimed two crucial wickets in successive deliveries, dismissing Green for 27 and Glenn Maxwell for a duck.
