NEW DELHI:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
's phenomenal second-half run in
IPL 2024
came to a heart-breaking end with a four-wicket defeat by Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator on Thursday.
Despite giving it all in the knock-out game, RCB fell short in Ahmedabad, succumbing to their 10th defeat in a play-off game in 16 appearances.
As Royals broke their four-game losing streak to send RCB packing in the Eliminator, former India opener
Navjot Singh Sidhu
lauded the combined effort from Sanju Samson and Co.
Sidhu was in all praise for
Virat Kohli
as well -- the Orange Cap holder in the season so far -- pointing out that he and his team gave it all but unfortunately choked at the final hurdle.
"Aar paar ki ladai thi, jeevan Maran ki ladai thi, swabhimaan ki ladai thi aur astitva ki ladai thi. Yahan doosra mauka nahi milega. Aapne kitne saare mauke gawaye hain aur uski wajah se Rajasthan Royals are deserved winner. Aur Kohli ka dil bada hai dost! Iss babbar sher ke andar dil ek boht bada hai. Dariya ke jaisa behta hai. Mubarakbaad dete hue. Deserved winners kehte hue. Prayas poora kiya lekin kuch cheezen aapke bas ke bahar hain. What cannot be cured has got to be endured. RCB raafta raafta chalte gaye aur ant me aa ke, they choked," Sidhu said on Star Sports.
The defeat in Eliminator ended RCB's incredible six-game winning streak. With a solitary win in the first 8 matches, RCB made a remarkable turnaround, winning their last 6 matches to clinch a playoffs spot.
In the Eliminator, after Royals did their part well to keep RCB to 172 for 8, batters stuttered in the middle overs to allow RCB back into the contest which remained hung in balance for the majority of the second half, but the 2008 winners eventually got home with an over to spare.
Chasing 173, Rajasthan ended with 174 for 6 as Rovman Powell (16 not out) provided the finishing touches in a tense finish.
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