Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru, IPL, 2024 Full score card

SIX! BOOM! Thumped flat and thumped down the ground! Rovman Powell gets the job done for Rajasthan. Ferguson comes up with a slower one and this is much fuller, outside off, Rovman Powell picks the variation out of the hand and waits for the ball to arrive. Smacks it off the middle of the bat and hits it well away from long on for a flat six. Punches the air in delight and a relieved look on the faces of Rajasthan players in the dugout. Rajasthan win by 4 wickets to book their place in Qualifier 2.

Make that three dots in a row! Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a hard length, on off and middle, Rovman Powell covers the line of the ball and defends it out with a straight bat.

Hits the deck hard again, on middle, Rovman Powell pats it to the right of the bowler. Lockie Ferguson gets around and cuts it off. Two dots on the trot.

Bowls it on a back of a length, on off, Rovman Powell slaps it firmly but picks out the man at backward point.

FOUR MORE! Another streaky boundary and Rajasthan are nearly there. Just 5 runs away now. Serves it on a good length, angling in, around off, Rovman Powell looks to keep it out with a straight bat. Gets squared up slightly and gets an outside edge that beats the dive of Karn Sharma at short third for four more runs.

FOUR! Intentional or not, it does not matter! Rajasthan will take it any which way they come. Full and near the tramline on off, Rovman Powell leaves his bat hanging as he reaches out. It comes off the outside edge and it races past backward point for a boundary.

Ravichandran Ashwin is the new batter in. 13 needed now off 12 balls and Lockie Ferguson comes in to bowl the penultimate over.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Mohammed Siraj with the double strike for Bengaluru! First Riyan Parag and now Shimron Hetmyer, Rajasthan are digging a hole for themselves through their shot selection. Siraj targets the stumps and serves it on a length, Shimron Hetmyer has a wild heave across the line. Gets a top edge that goes very high in the air around the cover region. Faf du Plessis turns around and almost turns a full circle. Keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and takes it near his chest, falling on his back. The game is far from over yet and Rajasthan will be starting to feel the pressure now.

Fuller and on off, Rovman Powell digs it out to long on and gets to the other end. Can Siraj finish his spell with a wicket?

Aerial but safe! Low full toss, on middle, Shimron Hetmyer muscles it away from the crease and it goes on the bounce to deep mid-wicket where Glenn Maxwell cuts it off. A single taken. Can Siraj finish his spell with a wicket?

Angling in, on middle, fuller in length, Rovman Powell gets rushed slightly but does well to get his bat out in front of the pads and clips it behind square on the leg side for one.

OUT! CASTLED! Riyan Parag misses but Mohammed Siraj doesn't! Keeps it full and straight and hurls it with an upright seam, a bit of late inward shape, Riyan Parag stays put and swings across the line. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and rattles into the woodwork. Parag cannot see his side home and has he left the door ajar for Bengaluru?

Rovman Powell is the new batter in.

WIDE! Bowls a bumper, aimed at the helmet of the batter, Riyan Parag arches back slightly and thinks about playing the upper-cut. Decides against it in the end and lets it go. The ball sails over Parag's head for a wide. Bengaluru challenge the wide call but the replays show that it was clearly over the head.

WIDE! A bit of bat on it and that would have been a boundary. Siraj goes searching for the yorker but slips it down leg, Riyan Parag gets inside the line but misses the tickle. Wide given.

Gets the yorker in, at the toes, Shimron Hetmyer gets his bat down and squeezes it out to deep backward square leg. Shimron Hetmyer wants to come back for the second but Riyan Parag makes the wise call of sending him back.

Edged but it was the slower one and it falls way short of Dinesh Karthik. Angling across, on a length, Riyan Parag opens up to have a swipe across the line. Gets a feather on it that goes on the bounce to DK behind the wicket.

Honing in at the stumps, on a fullish length and slower too, Shimron Hetmyer calmly clips it in front of square on the leg side for one.

FOUR! Not in complete control but Shimron Hetmyer gets back-to-back boundaries! The balance of power completely in Rajasthan's favour. Bowls the back-of-the-hand slower delivery, on a good length, outside off, Shimron Hetmyer goes after it. Gets a thickish outside edge that flies over backward point for a boundary.

FOUR! Hit with immense power and that has raced away! Not the best of options by Dayal with mid off inside the circle. Too full and on off, Shimron Hetmyer hits through the line and drills to the left of mid off for a boundary.

Loopy, dipping, slower delivery, on middle and leg, Riyan Parag takes it on the full and swipes it to deep mid-wicket even as the bottom hand comes off the bat. A single taken.

Dayal begins from over the wicket and goes into the wicket straight away, around off, Shimron Hetmyer waits for the slower delivery and drags the pull on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

A couple of dots by Green to get out of the over. Rajasthan get 17 runs off the over and they have got the big over they were after. This is on a back of a length, on off, Riyan Parag rolls his wrists and controls the pull to mid-wicket.

Digs it in short again does Green, on off, Riyan Parag hops back and stabs it down solidly with a straight bat.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! Brilliant game awareness from Parag. Green bangs it on a hard length, at pace, on off, Riyan Parag waits on it as he stays leg side of the ball. Uses the pace of the ball and ramps it past short third to pick up a boundary. 17 runs off the first four balls.

SIX! Clean as a whistle and it looks like the two batters have decided to take down Green. Errs in length does Green as serves a slower one, on a length, on the off-stump line, Riyan Parag backs away and gives himself room. Spanks it over cover and deposits it into the stands for a biggie.

Fuller in length, Shimron Hetmyer eases it down to long on for a single.

SIX! Shimron Hetmyer gets the distance! Green takes pace off and angles it across from over the wicket, on a shortish length, Shimron Hetmyer shapes up to muscle it over long on. Gets high on the bat but gets enough to clear long on for a maximum. Best possible start to the over for Rajasthan. Can they convert this one into a big score?

Good length on leg stump, flicked away through square leg for a run.

WIDE! Just a bit too high. Brings out the slower bumper now, bowling it outside off, Shimron Hetmyer leaves it alone as the ball lobs over his head.

FOUR! Not in control but gets enough on it. A quick short ball at the batter but just a bit too straight, Shimron Hetmyer goes after it and gets a top edge that flies down to fine leg for a boundary.

Angling in, on a length, Riyan Parag drags the slog off the inside half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Oh, dear! Rajasthan almost gave another wicket away and Riyan Parag would have certainly been at fault there. Full and straight, looking for the inswinging yorker, Riyan Parag manages to jam it out wide of long on and Shimron Hetmyer calls for two right away. However, Parag denies it and Hetmyer is almost down at the other end when Parag finally starts running. The throw comes in at the keeper's end which is the right one but is well wide and Parag is safe.

A slower bumper now, angling across from leg stump, Shimron Hetmyer gets a bit low, leaving his bat hanging but does well to angle it away towards deep backward square leg for one more.

On a good length around off and angling back in, Riyan Parag punches it off the front foot and down to long off for a single.

Strategic break! A potential game-changing effort from Virat Kohli has lifted Bengaluru's spirits and it came just at the right time as a steady partnership was building for Rajasthan. Cameron Green has produced a stellar spell so far but he has only one over remaining, leaving others to step up to the plate in the remaining phase of the game. As for Rajasthan, they require 58 runs off the last 6 overs which is pretty gettable in this day and age. With Rovman Powell still left in the shed, Rajasthan will be confident enough to get the job done but a lot will rest on the shoulders of Riyan Parag. Mohammed Siraj (2-0-16-0) returns to the attack.

Just four runs and a wicket off that over and Cameron Green is bowling a seemingly game-changing spell here. Hard length around off stump, Riyan Parag uses his wrists to play it through mid on and pick up a single.

Back of a length and around off, punched away off the back foot and straight down the ground for one more by Shimron Hetmyer.

Dug in a bit short and outside off stump, Shimron Hetmyer chops the ball down towards point.

On the shorter side again and angling in, Riyan Parag punches it off the back foot and down to long on for a single.

Slower short ball around off stump, Riyan Parag stays back and defends it on the leg side.

Shimron Hetmyer comes in as the Impact Player for Rajasthan. Yuzvendra Chahal has been subbed out.

OUT! RUN OUT! It is a Virat Kohli special in the field! Cameron Green strides in and bowls it short over middle stump, Riyan Parag gets on top of the bounce and pulls it firmly in front of square on the leg side. Kohli who is standing at deep square leg, runs around to his left and covers a fair bit of distance but it still should have been an easy two. The batters just stutter for a moment and that has cost them as Kohli fires in a bullet of a throw at the bowler's end. Green collects it and almost makes a mess of it while dislodging the bails but the replays show that the ball wasn't completely out of his hand and it is fair run out with Jurel's bat having nothing inside the popping crease. Another twist in the game!

Is that out? Bengaluru think they have got their man but Cameron Green does not look as convinced as others. Did the ball slip out of his hands while disturbing the stumps? No, it does not look like and one of the replays shows that Dhruv Jurel might be just short. The third umpire looks at another angle and concludes that Jurel is indeed short of his crease. The Ahmedabad crowd goes wild as OUT flashes on the big screen.

Good length around off and angling in, Riyan Parag plants his front leg across and punches it sweetly to deep cover for a single.

Just back of a length and on a tight line around off stump, Riyan Parag is late on the shot and gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad.

SIX! Riyan Parag has crunched that with the new bat. Banged in short around off, a bit of a slower ball, Parag waits for it well and smashes it away over deep mid-wicket for a maximum right after changing his bat.

On the shorter side and wide of the off stump, Dhruv Jurel plays it late and the ball goes quickly off the blade down to third man for a single.

Back of a length and aimed in at the body, Dhruv Jurel fails to work it off the hips and it will be a dot ball.

Excellent work in the deep but the batters do well to pick up three runs. Pitched up, quite full and on off stump, Riyan Parag waits a bit before hammering the ball away wide of sweeper cover. Mahipal Lomror runs to his right and puts in a big dive but the ball gets deflected away from him which allows an extra run.

Change? Yes, Lockie Ferguson (2-0-12-1) has been brought back into the attack.

That in-between length, around off stump and angling in, Dhruv Jurel hops on the back foot and just blocks it to the right of the deck.

Back of a length and outside off, takes pace off this time, Riyan Parag waits back and just angles it down to third man for a single.

A huge appeal from the bowler for caught behind and right at the buzzer, Faf du Plessis does review it. Another fine bumper from Cameron Green as he comes from wider of the crease and bangs it in right around the helmet. Riyan Parag looks to take it on but is beaten for pace and bounce and Dinesh Karthik pouches it well behind the stumps. Doesn't look to be bat involved on the first replay and UltraEdge confirms the same. This is a crucial and tricky phase of play for both sides now.

Full and honing in on the stumps, Riyan Parag jams the ball back out and Cameron Green does well to get a big right hand on it on the followthrough.

Slightly back of a length and angled into the body, Dhruv Jurel tucks it off his hips down to deep backward square leg for a run.

A well-directed bumper, gets it over middle and at a good height as well, Dhruv Jurel ducks under it well.

This is floated up quite full on off and middle, Dhruv Jurel punches it down to long off for another single.

Tossed up outside off, hit away through extra cover for a single by Parag.

WIDE! A bit quicker through the air and wide of off stump, turning away and left alone for a wide.

Tossed up around off stump, Riyan Parag pushes it out on the off side.

FOUR! Nicely done by Riyan Parag but it was quite risky as well. Floated up around middle and leg, Parag gets inside the line of the ball, waits for it and just laps it very fine for a boundary.

On the pads again and this is worked off the back foot into the leg side for a single.

FOUR! A statement shot from Dhruv Jurel first up. Short ball on middle, it is the googly and doesn't get high enough, Jurel rocks back and pulls it with fine timing in front of square leg and picks up a boundary.

Dhruv Jurel makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! STUMPED! Oh, that is catastrophic for Rajasthan and the skipper has thrown his wicket away. Karn Sharma tosses this one up a bit fuller and wide of the off stump and not completely full. The ball further turns away as it is the regular leg-break and Sanju Samson comes down the pitch, backing away and looks to go inside out which makes it even more difficult for him to reach the ball. Samson ends up running past it and Dinesh Karthik is lightning quick to take off the bails. Bengaluru back in the game in the blink of an eye.

Attacks the stumps does Green with a length delivery, Sanju Samson flicks it off his pads to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike. End of a successful over for Green and Bengaluru. They need to build on this over with Rajasthan needing 88 runs from 60 balls.

Digs it in short, over middle, Riyan Parag shapes up for the pull but misses it off the toe-end. The ball dribbles in front of mid-wicket and the batters cross over for a quick single.

Takes pace off slightly and bowls it fuller, on middle, Sanju Samson waits and knocks it down to long on for a run.

Angling in from over the wicket, on the pads, on a length, Riyan Parag clips it through backward square leg and opens his account with a single.

Riyan Parag is in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Bengaluru go up in unison but the umpire is unmoved! Dinesh Karthik is convinced that Yashasvi Jaiswal nicked it and Faf du Plessis takes the review. Green lands this around the off-stump line, on a hard length, Yashasvi Jaiswal moves away to the off side and crouches to scoop it past short fine leg but misses. However, the UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball is next to the gloves and the on-field decision will be overturned. A timely breakthrough for Bengaluru as Cameron Green makes an instant impact with the ball.

Too straight from Green to start with, on a back of a length, Sanju Samson whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

This is flatter and shorter, on off, Sanju Samson uses the depth of the crease and plays it down to long off for one.

Offers flight, full and on leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it through square leg and gets one more single.

Shorter and quicker, on middle, punched down to long on for a single.

Drags the length back and bowls it around the pads, Yashasvi Jaiswal clips it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Tosses it up, full and turning away, Sanju Samson frees his arms and drills it in front of square on the off side. Mahipal Lomror covers good ground to his right and restricts the batters to just a single. Hang on, the replays show that Samson was lazy to get back in and was not facing the ball while returning. Had the throw been near the stumps, things would have been interesting there.

Starts with a full delivery, at 86.7 kph, on middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal presses forward and gets his bat out in front to clip it wide of long on. Virat Kohli runs around to his left and keeps it down to one.

Strategic break! Well then, just like Qualifier 1, an under-par total is proving relatively harmless for the chasing side and with the dew well set in, Rajasthan are in command right now. Bengaluru did have chances to get more wickets but have been well under their best on the field and Yashasvi Jaiswal has made sure to keep the boundaries flowing. Bengaluru need wickets in a heap in the next 4-5 overs if they are to have a chance at winning this game but for now, Rajasthan seem to be well ahead. Let's see if things change or not in the middle phase.

Gets the yorker wrong does Ferguson and slips in a low full toss, on middle, clipped through mid-wicket for a single by Jaiswal. Another good over for Rajasthan, 10 runs off it.

Yashasvi Jaiswal calls for two and gets it! Hurls it on a back of a length, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal rides the bounce well and punches it to the right of deep point. Jaiswal takes on the arm of Virat Kohli in the deep. He has to put the after-burners on for the second run but makes it safely in the end.

Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, Sanju Samson turns this one square on the leg side for one.

Short of a length now by Ferguson, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal steers it down to deep third and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Angling away, on a good length, at 147 kph, Yashasvi Jaiswal throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge that races into the deep third fence for a boundary.

Serves it around off, on a back of a length, Sanju Samson dabs it down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Yashasvi Jaiswal but this is not great bowling either. Too short, too wide on off by Swapnil, Yashasvi Jaiswal shuffles across a bit to get to the ball and cuts it past backward point for four more runs. Bengaluru needed to squeeze in a quiet over after Lockie Ferguson's wicket-taking over but instead, it goes for 17 runs.

FOUR! Width offered and Yashasvi Jaiswal cashes in! Swapnil slants it across the left-hander, on a length, outside off, Yashasvi Jaiswal reaches out and slaps it in front of square on off side for a boundary. Swapnil has not got his line right so far.

Gives the ball air and bowls it full, on off, Sanju Samson presses forward and eases it to long off for one.

Keeps it on a nagging length, on middle, tucked through mid-wicket for a run.

Sliding on with the arm, short and on middle, Sanju Samson pushes it with a straight bat and beats the dive of Karn Sharma at a straightish mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Short and this has been dispatched. A half-tracker from Swapnil Singh and the line is too straight as well, Sanju Samson gets on the back foot and does not keep it along the ground. Pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Excellent over from Lockie Ferguson to close out the Powerplay. A wicket and just 2 runs off it. Attacks the stumps with a good-length delivery, Yashasvi Jaiswal firms the drive without much foot movement but can't get it past the bowler. At the end of the Powerplay, Rajasthan are 47/1.

Angling in, on a back of a length, on middle, Sanju Samson tucks it through square leg and opens his account with a single.

Serves it on a back of a length, top of off, Sanju Samson covers the line of the ball and defends it out solidly.

Skipper, Sanju Samson comes in at number 3.

OUT! TIMBER! Lockie Ferguson breaks through for Bengaluru and Glenn Maxwell will be a relieved man. Nails the yorker right at the base of the off stump but does not offer any pace on it as he rolls his fingers over the ball. Tom Kohler-Cadmore fails to pick the slower one and gets deceived completely as the ball dips and scoots under the bat. The ball goes through to hit the base of the off stump and the Bengaluru fans in Ahmedabad have found their voices again. Bengaluru will be hoping that one brings two for them here.

Dishes it out on a hard length, on off, Yashasvi Jaiswal dabs it wide of point off the back foot and gets to the other end.

Lockie Ferguson gets away with it! A grunt of 'no' as Yashasvi Jaiswal feels he missed out and rightly so. Juicy low full toss, on the pads, there to be put away, Yashasvi Jaiswal flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Picks the gap to perfection. Slower one, bowled slightly back of a length around off and sitting up nicely, Tom Kohler-Cadmore waits well and just punches it sweetly between covers and mid off for yet another boundary.

A bit fuller and outside off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore drives it away to covers.

FOUR! Tom Kohler-Cadmore making full use of the life he got a few balls earlier and he looks like a spitting image of Jos Buttler at times. Banged in short and at the batter, TKC backs away and pulls it like a tennis forehand smash and well wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Slower one, bowled full and straight, dipping as well, Tom Kohler-Cadmore waits well before blocking it back to the bowler.

Full and straight, pushed away to mid on for a single.

DROPPED! Look away Glenn Maxwell fans, look away! Yash Dayal bowls it short over the middle stump, Tom Kohler-Cadmore with a nothing pull shot and he hits it flat towards deep square leg where Maxwell moves to his left and spills an easy catch. No one can believe it and Maxwell's evening keeps getting worse. The batters get a single.

Pitches it up around middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal gets on the front foot and drives it straight back. The ball deflects off the bowler's hand and goes to mid on. 13 off that over and now Rajasthan have started taking control of the game.

FOUR! Oh, that is sloppy work in the deep and already we have seen a couple of fielding errors because of the dew. Short ball, angled in at the batter's helmet, Yashasvi Jaiswal does well to get his hands out in front and pulls it down to deep backward square leg. Swapnil Singh slides across to his left there and just spills the ball onto the ropes.

Pitched up on off and middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal solidly blocks it on the off side.

Short of a length and banged in over middle stump, Tom Kohler-Cadmore looks to pull off the back foot but gets it off the inner half of the bat past square leg for one run.

FOUR! Two in two for Tom Kohler-Cadmore and this has been creamed away. Siraj goes full in search of swing but overcooks it, around off, Tom Kohler-Cadmore extends his arms and nails the drive through covers for four more runs.

FOUR! The timing on that one was phenomenal. Not a bad delivery at all as Siraj bowls it fractionally short angling it into middle and leg, Tom Kohler-Cadmore just works it away and the ball races past a diving Faf du Plessis at wide mid on for another boundary.

FOUR! Intentional from Yashasvi Jaiswal and 16 runs come off that over. Short and outside off, Jaiswal just dabs it late and gets it well wide of Cameron Green at first slip for a boundary, the fourth of the over.

FOUR! That is a spanking cover drive and Yashasvi Jaiswal is shifting gears here. Full and outside off, Jaiswal gets on the front foot and hammers it through covers for a boundary.

Short and wide again, Yashasvi Jaiswal slashes at it but misses.

FOUR! Much more controlled from Yashasvi Jaiswal. Short of a length and outside off, Jaiswal gets under the ball and manages to cut it over backward point for a nice boundary.

FOUR! Off the edge and goes through the hands of Cameron Green. Length ball outside off stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes at it with hard hands and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies quickly and wide of the keeper and Green springs to his right at what is a widish and deepish first slip but the ball bursts through his hands. Green chases it down and pulls the ball back in but not before the ball touches the ropes.

Starts from over the stumps and pitches it up around off stump looking for some swing, Yashasvi Jaiswal hits it on the up but straight to the point fielder.

The hero of the final over in the last game against Chennai, Yash Dayal comes on to bowl.

In the air but wide of third man and doesn't carry either. Mohammed Siraj just drags the length back and offers width, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes after it but slashes it away wide of third man for a single.

Leg bye! Just a tad full and angled in at the pads, Tom Kohler-Cadmore fails to flick it away and the ball thuds into the pads rolling away to square leg for a leg bye.

On a hard length now and angled into the body, Tom Kohler-Cadmore wrists it just to the right of mid on where Faf du Plessis is quick to get onto the ball and fires in a throw at the bowler's end to keep Yashasvi Jaiswal honest.

Keeps bowling it really full and tries to swing it back into the off stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal punches it off the toe end of the bat to mid off and picks up a quick single.

Full and wide of the off stump this time, Tom Kohler-Cadmore goes after it and ends up slicing it away to third man for just a single.

Starts off with a fuller delivery at 137 clicks around off stump and just shaping away a touch, Tom Kohler-Cadmore stays deep in the crease and drives it away straight to covers.

It will be Mohammed Siraj to steam in from the other end. A slip in place to start with.

A dot to end and that's a tidy start from Swapnil Singh, just two runs off the first over of the chase. Bowls it flatter again and on a length around off stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes on the back foot and punches it gently towards mid off.

On the shorter side and angled into the batter, Tom Kohler-Cadmore plays it off the back foot and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run. TKC is off the mark as well.

Fractionally short and on the off stump, Tom Kohler-Cadmore punches it away to the right of short cover where Faf du Plessis throws himself across the turf and pounces on the ball.

A bit of yes and no but eventually, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rajasthan are off the mark. Nagging length, pushed quickly across the left-hander, Jaiswal looks to cut but the ball goes off the outside edge to backward point and they get across for a single.

Pushed through a bit flatter and around off again, Yashasvi Jaiswal stays compact in his crease and plays it away to mid off.

Starts off from around the stumps and tosses it up nicely, full and around off stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal leans on well and strokes it to mid off.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tossed up on middle and leg, pushed down to long on for a single.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Rajat Patidar walks out to the middle.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.