Following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) four-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL 2024 Eliminator match, former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers said RCB will come back stronger in the next season of the tournament.
RCB won seven of their 14 league games to earn a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. However, a dismal loss to the Royals on Thursday marked the end of their journey in the 17th season of the competition.
De Villiers, a former member of the Royal Caribbean cricket team, expressed his pride in the lads for giving them hope. He also thought that the Bengaluru-based team would win the coveted title in the 2025 Indian Premier League.
“It’s always painful to lose. But as a fan, I’m proud of the boys for making us believe, even when all hope seemed lost at the start of May. I’m sure #RCB will come back stronger next year and bring home that elusive title,” De Villiers wrote on X.
It’s always painful to lose. But as a fan, I’m proud of the boys for making us believe, even when all hope seemed lost at the start of May.
I’m sure #RCB will come back stronger next year and bring home that elusive title. 💪 ❤️ #IPL2024
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 22, 2024
In summary, Rajasthan defeated Bengaluru by winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Nearly all of the RCB hitters received a start, but they were unable to turn them into significant innings. The leading scorers were Mahipal Lomror (32 in 17 balls, two fours and two sixes), Virat Kohli (33 in 24 balls, three fours and a six), and Rajat Patidar (34 in 22 balls, two fours and two sixes). RCB were limited to 172/8 in their 20 overs.
For RR, Avesh Khan (3/44) was the best bowler. Trent Boult (1/16) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/19) both performed admirably in slowing down the RCB run rate.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 in 30 balls, with eight fours) and Tom Kohler Cadmore (20 in 15 balls, with four boundaries) put on a 46-run stand to get the Royals off to a great start in the run chase. Following that, the RCB bowlers put some pressure on Rajasthan, limiting their ability to score runs and claiming a few wickets. In 13.1 overs, RR was limited to 112/4. But Riyan Parag (36 in 26 balls, two fours and two sixes) held one end before he was removed, and in the final few overs, Rovman Powell (16* in eight balls, two fours and a six) and Shimron Hetmyer (26 in 14 balls) attacked the RCB to win by four wickets with an over remaining.
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.