IPL 2018 RR v/s RCB: Royal Challengers Bangalore knocked out, Rajasthan Royals keep play-off hopes alive

Rajasthan Royals bowled brilliantly to keep themselves alive in the race for IPL 2018 play-offs as they defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 30 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.

The loss knocked Virat Kohil-led RCB out of IPL 2018.  

Rajasthan Royals, weakened by the departure of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, had put on 164/5 batting first thanks to a brilliant knock of 80 runs by Rahul Tripathi. He was ably supported by slow-but-steady Ajinkya Rahane (33 runs off 31 balls).

Tripathi's 99-run second wicket partnership with Rahane resurrected the Royals innings after the slow start. The home side were well placed at one point at 101 for 1 in the 12th over but duel strike by Umesh pegged them back. 

Tripathi, who has not been among the runs this year, came good today, reaching his fifty in 38 balls. Rahane missed out on his half century once again as he was declared out leg before after DRS review while trying to work the ball to the leg side. 

Heinrich Klassen and K Gowtham finished with a flourish to take them to 164. 

Umesh Yadav finished with 3 wickets for 25 runs from his 4 overs. 

Chasing the target, RCB lost Virat Kohli early as the skipper was bowled by Gowtham. Parthiv Patel and AB de Villiers then took the visitors to 75 in 8.3 overs. At that point, it looked like an easy chase for the Bangalore side.

However, Young Shreyas Gopal spun a web around a star-studded RCB batting line-up. Patel (33) was first to go- brilliantly stumped by Klassen off Gopal's bowling. 

The "st Klassen b Gopal" combine accounted for two more RCB bastmen including AB de Villiers (53 of 35 balls). 

De Villiers briefly threatened to take the game away in RCB's favour with a 35-ball 53 but Gopal and his bowling colleagues ensured Royals' victory.

Gopal finished with 16/4 while Klassen effected 4 dismissals behind the stumps. 

Pacers Jaydev Unadkat and Ben Laughlin chipped in with two wickets apiece while off-spinner Krishnappa Gowtham took one wicket as RCB's hopes for a play-offs berth went up in smokes.

RCB were bowled out 134 runs for in 19.2 overs. RCB ended the tournament with 12 points from 14 matches. They are now sixth in the standings.

The win kept Rajasthan in IPL 2018 play-offs contention with points and a Net Run Rate of -0.250. Royals' chances for a play-offs berth are, however, not in their hands as the remaining matches will decide their fate.

Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad are already through to the playoffs, leaving RR, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders to fight for the remaining two places.