Faf du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik, and Virat Kohli were all disappointed after RCB lost to RR in the Eliminator, eliminating them from the IPL 2024.
Following their Wednesday elimination match loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players Virat Kohli, skipper Faf Du Plessis, and wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik reminisced on ups and downs but an inspirational and unforgettable Indian Premier League (IPL) season. RR defeated RCB by four wickets in the eliminator on Wednesday at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, ending RCB’s incredible run that had begun with a terrible first half and a winning streak of six games.
After winning just one of their first eight games, RCB was on the verge of elimination. However, they responded with six straight victories, including a virtual knockout of the defending champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK), to secure the final playoff spot based on net-run-rate. It was a memorable season for the team. But following the defeat against RR, the 17-year-old’s protracted trophy wait continues. However, the group has received high praise from both fans and analysts for their performance this season.
Virat claimed that the team did not perform up to their expectations as cricketers during the first half of the season in a video that was shared by RCB’s official X handle. However, he will treasure and never forget how his team overcame hardship.
To be very honest, we didn’t play up to standard during the first part of the season. We were unable to meet the high expectations placed on us as cricket players. We began expressing ourselves then, playing for our own dignity. We resumed feeling confident. It was really incredible how they qualified and turned things around. The boys had to put a lot of character and emotion into it, so it’s something I will treasure and remember,” he remarked.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to the supporters for their unwavering support and massive turnout across India.
Although RCB managed to turn things around in the remaining six games, according to skipper Faf, they lost the eliminator by a margin of about 15 runs.
“The first innings was tricky, the ball was moving around and it was a bit slow,” he stated.
Faf remarked, “We were down halfway through the season,” in response to the fans’ support despite the team’s collapse halfway through the season. Still, there are the supporters at every game and stadium. The chants were audible to us. We seized the opportunity as soon as we had it. We sincerely appreciate it. We regret not making it to the finals. But I am incredibly pleased of the boys based on where we were and where we ended up.””There is no happy ever after in athletics. Everybody has a bad day sometimes when things don’t go as planned. That day it was. Just like in the nighttime games, dew arrived and made batting easier. Nevertheless, we need to feel proud of the resistance we mounted. All we can ask for is that. It matters how you feel. It matters to believe that you want to accomplish something unique. The season for RCB was very exceptional on both fronts. A season that will make a lot of people say, “Wow, great effort.” For what we have accomplished this year, we are proud of who we are, and I hope the fans feel the same way,” Dinesh stated.
Prior to the game, RR chose to bowl first after winning the toss. 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.
The Royals had a great start to the run-chase thanks to a 46-run stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal (45 in 30 balls, with eight fours) and Tom Kohler Cadmore (20 in 15 balls, with four boundaries). Following that, the bowlers for the RCB put some pressure on Rajasthan, limiting the amount of runs scored and securing a few wickets. In 13.1 overs, RR could only muster 112/4. But before he was removed, Riyan Parag (36 in 26 balls, two fours and two sixes) held one end while Rovman Powell (16* in eight balls, two fours and a six) and Shimron Hetmyer (26 in 14 balls) attacked the RCB in the final few overs to win by four wickets with an over remaining.
Mohammed Siraj (2/33) was the RCB’s best bowler.
Ashwin won the title of “Player of the Match.”
Now, on May 24 in Chennai, RR will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the second qualifying round to determine who will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the championship game on May 26.
