Rajasthan Royals (RR) ended Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) roller coaster run in the 2024 IPL with a gritty four-wicket victory in the Eliminator on Wednesday. After their bowlers did an excellent job of keeping RCB to 172/8, RR batters stalled in the middle overs, allowing RCB to re-enter the battle, which remained tied for the entire second half, but the 2008 champions eventually won the match with an over to spare. It was the Royals’ first victory following four losses and an abandoned game. The Royals will meet Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Friday for a spot in the IPL Final.

Chasing 173, RR finished on 174/6, with Rovman Powell’s cameo of 16* providing the finishing touches in a frantic finish. Riyan Parag’s crucial knock of 36, as he has done multiple times this season, showed remarkable determination in a difficult situation to help RR stay in the competition. Shimron Hetmyer, who returned, also performed admirably, scoring a crucial 26 off 14 balls.

Earlier, it was Yashasvi Jaiswal’s top-scoring 45-run knock that gave RR the impetus at the top. Tom Kohler-Cadmore chipped in with 20. Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets for RCB while other bowlers failed to contribute well.

Earlier, Trent Boult bowled an outstanding spell for RR upfront, also picking up the wicket of Faf du Plessis (17). Moments later, Yuzvendra Chahal got the big fish Virat Kohli for 33. RCB then went into deep trouble when Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice in the 13th over. The right-arm spinner outfoxed Cameron Green (27) and then dismissed Glenn Maxwell for a golden duck. Mahipal Lomror’s vital knock of 32 pushed RCB over the 170-run mark. Avesh Khan starred with a three-wicket haul for RR.