New Delhi: A match-winning unbeaten 60-ball 106 run knock from 'Orange Cap holder' Jos Buttler and clinical spells from Prasidh Krishna (3/22) and Obed McCoy (3/23) powered inaugural IPL winners Rajasthan Royals to 7-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in crucial Qualifier 2 clash at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday. Buttler, tonight, completed 800 runs, notched up his 4th ton in IPL 2022. Rajasthan have reached the IPL final for the first time since 2008, while RCB played their last IPL final in 2016. In the summit clash on May 29, Rajasthan will clash against Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and decided to bowl first. Prasidh Krishna and Obed McCoy shared a total of six wickets to restrict Bangalore to a decent 157/8 in their 20 overs. Apart from an in-form Rajat Patidar (58) none of RCB batters proved to be a threat for Rajasthan bowlers.
Royal Challengers Bangalore legend Virat Kohli yet again failed to fire in the all-important RCB vs RR IPL 2022 Qualifier 2 match. When Virat came out to bat as an opener for Bangalore he seemed in good shape and was timing the ball to almost perfection in the initial deliveries he faced. However, he was totally stunned by a short-pitched bouncy delivery from tall pace bowler Prasidh Krishna on the second delivery of second over.
Virat returned to the pavilion for just 7 runs off 8 balls. Kohli tried to hit the ball for a single but the extra bounce caught him by surprise as he ended up edging the ball straight to wicket-keeper Sanju Samson. RR dismissing Virat so early in the match gave an upper hand to them in 'must-win' Qualifier 2.
After Virat's departure, Rajat Patidar played a hard-fought innings to pull his team back to a respectable position. He went on to score a fifty and was finally departed for 58 off 42 balls. In the end, RCB ended their innings at 157/8.