RCB lost to Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024 Eliminator© AFP

Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a special IPL season, signified by their stunning turnaround of six wins in six games to reach the playoffs, feels Faf du Plessis. The RCB skipper also lauded the RCB 12th-man army for standing by their team through the ups and downs, with their chants boosting the side wherever they played. “The last six games have been really special given the way we turned it around. When you do something that special, your hopes are to do something even more special,” skipper du Plessis said in the RCB dressing room in Ahmedabad after his team’s campaign ended in the Eliminator.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik said that this belief to do something special was what stood out for him in RCB’s performance this season. “Things turned around, winning six out of six felt like, ‘wow! This is going to be the year!’ But sport, as always, there is no fairytale endings, there is always a hard day, one day that does not go your way… but still should be really proud of the boys.”

“I thought that the batters, bowlers and fielders fought right up to the end. And that is all you can ask for in sport. The attitude matters, the belief in wanting to do something special matters. And on both counts, RCB had a very, very special season,” Karthik said.

“It is a season where a lot of people will look at and be like ‘wow, that was a good effort.’ We should be very proud of ourselves and I hope all the fans are very proud of us for what we have done this year.”

Head coach Andy Flower also lauded his players for keeping the belief alive throughout a long, gruelling season. “Our guys have been brilliant at keeping their energy and their enthusiasm and their belief through a long tournament. It is a long tournament, but it’s been fascinating and great fun. I loved working with our guys… and I’ve really treasured the last couple of months,” coach Flower said.

RCB’s incredible streak of six wins in six games will always remain memorable for Virat Kohli. The RCB star said he was proud of the character shown by the team which had propelled their comeback.

“We started expressing ourselves, started to play for our self-respect and then the confidence came back. The way we turned things around and qualified was truly special, something that I will always, always cherish and remember, because it took a lot of character from each member of this team, something that we can be really proud of. And eventually, we played the way we wanted to play,” Kohli said.

As always, RCB’s 12th Man Army was a vocal supporter of the team throughout the season and captain du Plessis said he was grateful for RCB’s “incredible fanbase.”

“We were extremely down halfway through the season. But still the fans, at every stadium, every match, you can hear the chants from a long way away. And once we got the momentum, we just ran with that. Extremely grateful for our incredible fanbase.”

“Sad that we as a group can’t get those final two steps to get to the trophy. But if I look back on the season, from where we were, to where we finished, I am very proud of the boys,” du Plessis said.

Kohli also acknowledged the 12th Man Army, saying their support has been unwavering every season. “This season was exactly the same, it wasn’t any different. We are very thankful for that and we will always be grateful for that, the way they turn out in numbers, not just in Bangalore but all over the country where we play, so thank you very much for all your support and your wishes,” Kohli signed off.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stars Virat Kohli, skipper Faf Du Plessis and wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik reflected on ups-and-downs, but an inspirational and memorable Indian Premier League (IPL) season following their loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator on Wednesday. RCB’s dream run following a horrid first half and a winning streak of six games finally came to an end after a four-wicket loss to RR in the eliminator at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.

The season was one to remember for RCB as they were on the brink of elimination after winning just one out of their first eight games, but won their next six games by great margins and knocked out defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a virtual knockout clash to secure the final playoff spot on basis of net-run-rate. However, the 17-year-old long wait for the trophy continues after the loss to RR. Nonetheless, the team’s performance this season has won them a lot of acclaim from fans, experts and players alike.

In a video posted by RCB’s official X handle, Virat said that the first half of the season was an under-par performance from the franchise and they were not able to live up to their standards as cricketers. But he will cherish and remember the way his team bounced back from adversity.

“To be really honest, the first half of the season was a really under-par performance from us. The standards that we have as cricketers, we were not able to live up to them. Then we started expressing ourselves, played for our own self-respect. Our confidence came back. The way turned things around and qualified was truly special. It is something I will cherish and remember, because it took a lot of character and heart from the boys,” he said.

Unfortunately, sport is not a fairytale and our remarkable run in #IPL2024 came to an end. Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Dinesh Karthik express their emotions and thank fans for their unwavering support. #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/FYygVD3UiC

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 23, 2024

He also thanked the fans for supporting the team and turning up in huge numbers all over India.

Skipper Faf said that the last six games were special for the way RCB turned things around but in the eliminator, they fell short by around 15 runs.

“The first innings was tricky, the ball was moving around and it was a bit slow,” he said.

Reflecting on the fan’s support even though the team was down and out halfway through the season, Faf said, “We were down halfway through the season. But still the fans, every match, every stadium. We could hear the chants. Once we got that momentum, we ran with it. We are extremely grateful for it. Sad we cannot reach the finals. But from where we were and where we finished, I am really proud of the boys.”

Summarising the team’s season, Dinesh, who is likely playing his last-ever IPL season, said that the team felt that this could very well be the year when they lift the trophy because of the way they turned things around, but the “hard day” that loomed over their heads happened to be the eliminator. He also said that dew came in the second innings and it became easy to bat.

“With sports, there is no fairytale ending. There is always a hard day when things do not go your way. It was that day. As it is in the evening games, dew came and it became easy to bat on. But still, we should be proud of the fight we put up. That is all we can ask for. Attitude matters. The belief in wanting to do something special matters. On both counts, RCB had a really special season. A season where a lot of people will look at and say ‘Wow, good effort’. We are proud of ourselves and I also hope fans are also proud of us for what we have done this year,” said Dinesh.

Coming to the match, RR won the toss and elected to bowl first. Almost every RCB batter got a start, but they could not convert them into a big knock. Rajat Patidar (34 in 22 balls, with two fours and two sixes), Virat Kohli (33 in 24 balls, with three fours and a six) and Mahipal Lomror (32 in 17 balls, with two fours and two sixes) emerged as top-scorers, restricting RCB to 172/8 in their 20 overs.

Avesh Khan (3/44) was the top bowler for RR. Ravichandran Ashwin (2/19) and Trent Boult (1/16) also did a fine job in putting brakes on the RCB run rate.

In the run-chase, the Royals’ got off to a fine start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 in 30 balls, with eight fours) and Tom Kohler Cadmore (20 in 15 balls, with four boundaries) putting on a 46-run stand. From then on, RCB bowlers applied some pressure on Rajasthan, restricting the run-flow and getting some wickets. RR was restricted to 112/4 in 13.1 overs. However, Riyan Parag (36 in 26 balls, with two fours and two sixes) held one end before he was dismissed while Shimron Hetmyer (26 in 14 balls, with three fours and a six) and Rovman Powell (16* in eight balls, with two fours and a six) attacked RCB in the last few overs to get a four-wicket win with an over left.

Mohammed Siraj (2/33) was the top bowler for RCB.

Ashwin took home the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

Now, RR will meet Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in qualifier two on May 24 in Chennai to decide who plays Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final on May 26.

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) owner Vijay Mallya feels the franchise has the best chance to win its maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title this year. RCB will take on Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator of IPL 2024 on Wednesday, having qualified for the playoffs as the fourth placed team. Mallya recalled the scenes ahead of the very first IPL season when he made the bid to buy RCB. He revealed that buying RCB and star batter Virat Kohli was the best decision he could’ve made.

Taking to social media platform X, Mallya said his “inner instinct tells me that RCB have the best chance to go for the IPL Trophy”.

“When I bid for the RCB franchise and I bid for Virat, my inner instinct told me that I could not have made better choices. My inner instinct tells me that RCB have the best chance to go for the IPL Trophy. Onward and Upward. Best of luck,” Mallya posted on X.

When I bid for the RCB franchise and I bid for Virat, my inner instinct told me that I could not have made better choices. My inner instinct tells me that RCB have the best chance to go for the IPL Trophy. Onward and Upward. Best of luck.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) May 21, 2024

RCB booked their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs with a thrilling victory over Chennai Super Kings on Saturday. It was a huge achievement for RCB who won six matches on the trot to book their spot in the Top 4.

Mallya had earlier congratulated RCB on reaching the playoffs.

“Heartiest congratulations to RCB for qualifying in the top four and reaching the IPL playoffs. Great determination and skill have created a winning momentum after a disappointing start. Onward and upward towards the trophy,” he had posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Heartiest congratulations to RCB for qualifying in the top four and reaching the IPL playoffs. Great determination and skill have created a winning momentum after a disappointing start. Onward and upward towards the trophy.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) May 18, 2024

In their do-or-die match vs CSK, captain Faf Du Plessis and Cameron Green took RCB to a score above 200 and Yash Dayal produced a disciplined display of fast bowling to clinch the victory.

Faf dedicated his Man of the Match award to fast bowler Yash Dayal.

“I dedicate this Man of the Match to Yash Dayal. The way he bowled was unbelievable. For a man who’s fairly new, he deserves it. [on what he told Dayal before the last over] Pace off is the best option on this pitch and trust your skills and enjoy, this is what you trained for. The yorker did not work the 1st ball and he went back to pace off and it worked unbelievably well,” Faf said after the match.

Former India batter Ambati Rayudu believes that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be firm favourites in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, scheduled on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. Faf du Plessis-led are on a six-match winning streak that guided them to a playoff spot in the league. RCB pushed defending champion Chennai Super Kings out of the playoff race after a 27-run win at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Sharing his thoughts on the Eliminator clash, Rayudu backed Bengaluru over Rajasthan as the latter are coming after a washout against Kolkata Knight Riders that dropped them to third place in the points table.

“I think RCB are clear favourites for me, because of the way they are playing and they’ve had a clinical game against CSK and for RR I don’t know if this gap in play will help, this washout would help them in going into an eliminator against RCB who I feel right now are a matured side and every player over there knows his role. So I think RCB are the ones who will eventually go into qualifiers 2,” Rayudu said on Star Sports Cricket Live.

Meanwhile, former India pacer Varun Aaron also echoed Rayudu’s sentiments and backed RCB in the clash. He added that Virat Kohli deserves the IPL title after putting his ‘heart and soul’ to the side.

“He’s got a trophy to get. That’s what’s left for him. One thing that he’s not got in all these years is the IPL trophy. He’s given his heart and soul to this franchise. The fans love him, and the fans from other teams also love him.

“But the IPL has been that elusive one for Virat Kohli which he has to get this year. He will want to get that this year, especially after you win six games on the trot and go into a playoff like this.”

“All it does to you is heighten your self-belief, not just his, but the whole team. So they are going to go in with a lot of belief, very contrasting to the Rajasthan Royals who are going in with a lot of doubts. So it’s going to be a very interesting encounter and I completely back RCB on this one just because of the momentum they are taking into this encounter,” he added.

Further, Rayudu feels that Qualifier 1 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will be an ‘epic’ encounter in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

“I think it’s the openers in the powerplay that comes to my mind for both teams. The match can be decided in the powerplay. Whoever plays that initial part well will have an advantage and also going into the playoffs, it’s like a different tournament. It’s not the same, because the league phase is different.

“But from now on teams will treat each match as a final, and KKR will be no different. For SRH, Pat Cummins knows Ahmedabad well, he’s had great memories over there. So it will be an epic encounter,” the veteran cricketer said.

Ambati Rayudu and Varun Aaron discussing RCB’s win over CSK© Twitter

Faf du Plessis’s RCB finished 4th in IPL 2024 league phase© BCCI/Sportzpics

Faf Du Plessis took a ‘superman’ catch to leave both fans and experts stunned during the IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings on Saturday. During the 15th over of the CSK innings, Mitchell Santner tried to hit a low full-toss from Mohammed Siraj over mid-off and it looked like Faf will not be able to reach the ball despite pulling off a good jump. However, the RCB captain left everyone surprised by completing a sensational one-handed catch to provide a major breakthrough. Virat Kohli was thrilled by the effort and he ran towards his teammate and gave him a kiss during the celebration.

RCB went on to book their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs with a 27-run victory over CSK.

“I think it was a good wicket to be honest, it was spinning and gripping a little bit, but I think 200 on this ground was gettable. We kept losing wickets at regular intervals, it was a matter of one or two hits, sometimes that can happen in a T20 game. Pretty happy with what the target was, to sum up the season, I am pretty happy to have seven wins out of 14 games.”

#TATAIPL #RCBvCSK #IPLonJioCinema pic.twitter.com/GWuERdGUCL

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 18, 2024

“Just couldn’t get over the line in the last two balls. With the kind of injuries we had, missing out on two frontline bowlers, not having Conway at the top of the order as well, I think missing out on three key players made a huge difference. Credit to the CSK staff and everyone who put up a great show for us throughout the season. There were many challenges for us right throughout the first game.

Virat Kohli kissed Faf Du Plessis after a stunner from Faf. pic.twitter.com/2ktGK8vhcb

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 18, 2024

“Injury to Fizz (Mustafizur), then injury to Pathirana as well, he came back and then again Pathirana missed out. When you have injuries around, you have to get that balance in the team and pick it (the team) for every game. I think this season sums up well where we had to tinker around with our playing XI, considering the injuries and all the illness (of the players) as well.”

“Happy with the seven wins, couldn’t get over the line though. Happy with it. We got 10 from the last 2 balls in our last knockout game last year so this was a similar situation, things didn’t go our way (this season) though. For me, personal milestones don’t really matter a lot, after all the ultimate goal is to win. If you are not getting there it’s a disappointment. Doesn’t matter if you score 100 runs or 500-600 runs in a season. I am disappointed (after losing.),” CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad said after the match.

The atmosphere was electric to say the least during the RCB vs CSK IPL 2024 match in Bengaluru on Saturday. It was not only a clash of two high-profile and star-studded teams but a knockout game that decided the last playoff spot in the IPL 2024. Quite naturally, the teams were charged up, especially RCB stars including Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis. Not only Kohli and Du Plessis provide a great start with the bat to RCB, but they were electric on the field too.

Every catch was celebrated fervently and every CSK wicket cheered madly. There was also a point during the CSK innings when Kohli and Faf du Plessis chatted animatedly with the umpires. The point of contention seemed to be a no ball by Lockie Ferguson to Rachin Ravindra. The duo seemed to be telling the umpire that the slippery ball was responsible. Something that the dup had complained a couple of overs back.

Kohli had an extended chat with the umpires and the internet blasted him for putting pressure on them.

Virat Kohli is very angry, he wants the umpire to change the ball. The umpire is not listening to him #IPL2024 #RCBvsCSK pic.twitter.com/Ei2VZrepvL

— Huzaifa Khan (@Huz69052510Khan) May 18, 2024

Matthew Hayden in commentary:

” Virat Kohli isn’t the captain of RCB, he shouldn’t have conversation with umpires. He’s involved too much.”#RCBvsCSK pic.twitter.com/fYI2Y7Ewhv

— ANSHUMAN (@AvengerReturns) May 18, 2024

Virat is gonna beat that umpire next time

— TheCubanKid (@cubankidsays) May 18, 2024

pic.twitter.com/7cYR8lNzny

— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) May 18, 2024

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) got tied with Mumbai Indians (MI) for most 200-plus run totals in a single Indian Premier League (IPL) season on Saturday.

The Red and Gold accomplished this feat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their game at Bengaluru.

RCB posted a total of 218/5 in 20 overs against CSK, their sixth total of over 200 this season. They have levelled with Mumbai Indians (six 200-plus totals in 2023) and Kolkata Knight Riders (six 200-plus totals in IPL 2024).

Also, RCB became the first-ever team to hit 150 sixes in a single edition of a T20 tournament. With 16 more sixers, RCB overtook Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) tally of 146 sixes to reach 150 sixes.

Coming to the match, CSK won the toss and opted to bat first. RCB put on a fine score of 218/5 on the board, with skipper Faf Du Plessis (54 in 39 balls, with three fours and three sixes), Virat Kohli (47 in 29 balls, with three fours and four sixes) put on a 78-run partnership, setting a fine platform for Rajat Patidar (41 in 23 balls, with two fours and four sixes) and Cameron Green (38* in 17 balls, with three fours and three sixes) to put on a 71-run stand for the third wicket.

Cameos from Dinesh Karthik (14 in six balls, with a four and six) and Glenn Maxwell (16 in five balls, with two fours and a six) took RCB to a 200-run plus total. In the end, RCB secured a 27-run win to qualify for the playoffs.

With ANI inputs