Eliminator, Player Ratings: Rampant RR means another heartbreaking IPL exit for Kohli & RCB

Eliminator, Player Ratings: Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) dream run in IPL 2024 came to a crashing halt in the IPL 2024 Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday. It was a heartbreaking loss for RCB fans, whose search for elusive trophy continues.

RCB, after losing the toss and being put in to bat, posted a modest total of 172 runs on the board. Rajat Patidar and Mahipal Lomror played decent knocks, helping RCB reach a defendable score despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

The chase by RR was anything but easy. RCB bowlers kept things tight, making it difficult for the Royals batsmen to score freely. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tom Kohler-Cadmore provided a solid foundation at the top of the order, wickets continued to tumble. In a tense finish, they eventually chased down the target with 6 balls to spare, thanks to some crucial late-innings hitting.

RR vs RCB Player Ratings: Which players scored 10/10 in the Eliminator?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

Virat Kohli (7.5/10): Kohli looked sharp early on, smashing a few boundaries, but fell just short of a fifty that could have propelled RCB to a much higher total. Interestingly, the ex-RCB captain made history by becoming the first player to complete 8,000 IPL runs and even affected a remarkable run-out from deep.

Faf du Plessis (6.5/10): There was hardly any intent for RCB skipper who failed to go past 17-run mark. However, he plucked a superb catch to dismiss Hetmyer.

Rajat Patidar (8/10): Showed great grit and determination with a counter-attacking knock, reviving RCB’s innings from a precarious position. He once again top-scored for the team with 34 off 22 balls.

Cameron Green (8/10): Failed to translate his usual power-hitting into a big score, but provided a ray of hope with a handy wicket of Jaiswal. He even bowled tight line and lengths.

Glenn Maxwell (0/10): The horror IPL 2024 campaign finally ended for Maxwell! The mighty Australian had a dismal game once more as he recorded his 18th IPL duck and even dropped a sitter in the second innings.

Dinesh Karthik (4/10): Was potentially out on the very first ball but was saved by the third umpire. Regardless, the emotions must be high for DK, who played his last IPL match, bidding farewell to an illustrious career!

Mahipal Lomror (8/10): Played a crucial counter-attacking innings with a blistering knock. In fact, his knock of 32 off 17 balls was the key to RCB setting up a decent total.

Karn Sharma (7/10): Although economical in his first over, leaked runs in his second. However, he dismissed key Sanju Samson with a great leg-spinner.

Yash Dayal (4/10): RCB’s hero from their last game, Dayal bowled three overs to leak 37 runs at 12.3 runs per over.

Mohammed Siraj (7/10): Bowled with pace and accuracy, keeping the RR batsmen honest. However, his inability to pick up wickets inside the powerplay proved costly.

Lockie Ferguson (7.5/10): He provided express pace but lacked control, leaking runs at the death overs when RCB desperately needed to tighten the screws.

Rajasthan Royals (RR)

Yashasvi Jaiswal (8/10): After a bad IPL 2024 league campaign, Jaiswal played a mature innings (45 runs), providing a solid foundation at the top of the order and setting the platform for a successful chase.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore (7/10): The T20 globe-totterer is yet to fire in IPL and was dismissed for 20 against RCB.

Sanju Samson (5.5/10): The RR skipper must be disappointed with a soft dismissal, failing to convert a good start into a match-winning knock.

Riyan Parag (8/10): Parag played a crucial cameo (36) with some powerful six-hitting, bailing RR out of a tricky situation and taking a crucial catch in the field.

Dhruv Jurel (5/10): Was unfortunate to get run-out by an excellent effort by Kohli. However, Jurel dropped an easy chance early on in the match.

Shimron Hetmyer (8.5/10): Played as an Impact Sub, the Caribbean really made an impact as he clubbed vital 26 runs in just 14 balls.

Rovman Powell (9/10): Known for his explosive batting, Powell lived up to his expectations as he did what he was meant to do. The West Indies skipper remained unbeaten and scored 16* off 8 to see RR clinch the match.

Ravichandran Ashwin (10/10): Deservedly named POTM for his economical bowling and ability to take wickets at crucial junctures, effectively stifling RCB’s scoring rate. The wily tweaker bowled at an extraordinary economy rate of 4.8 and took the wickets of Green and Maxwell during his 4 overs.

Trent Boult (9/10): Boult bowled three overs up front and maintained a disciplined line and length. He took the wicket of Faf du Plessis and leaked just 16 runs in his 24 balls.

Avesh Khan (8/10): Picked up key wickets at the death, derailing RCB’s momentum and swinging the match in RR’s favor. He almost got Dinesh Karthik as well, only to see the decision gets turned down.

Sandeep Sharma (5/10): It was a rare off day for Sandeep, who usually thrives on surfaces like Ahmedabad. He chipped in with a wicket but his expensive spell put pressure on the other bowlers. He leaked 48 runs in his 4 overs!

Yuzvendra Chahal (7/10): A sweet revenge for Yuzi, who bagged the prized wicket of Kohli. The wily tweaker took just one wicket but would be extremely happy to see his side take one step closer to the Finals.