Virat Kohli endured another disappointment as Royal Challengers Bengaluru were eliminated from the IPL following a four-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad. Rajasthan successfully chased down Bengaluru's total of 172-8 with six balls to spare, securing their place in the last playoff.
Rajasthan will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final playoff to determine Kolkata Knight Riders' opponent in the upcoming final on May 26. Kolkata secured their spot in the final after defeating Hyderabad in the first playoff.
Rajasthan's victory marks a significant comeback after a series of setbacks, while Bengaluru's hopes for their first IPL title were dashed despite a remarkable turnaround in the latter part of the season.
The intense heat in Ahmedabad added to the challenge for both teams, with players enduring temperatures exceeding 43 degrees Celsius. The grueling conditions did not deter over 85,000 fans from turning up to support their teams.
The thrilling encounter saw standout performances from players such as Trent Boult and Ravichandran Ashwin for Rajasthan, as well as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Riyan Parag who played pivotal roles in the successful chase.
The match also witnessed moments of disappointment, with Faf du Plessis acknowledging the resilience and effort displayed by Bengaluru despite the eventual outcome.
