NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals ended their losing streak and
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
's victory run with a four-wicket win in the
Eliminator
of IPL 2024 at Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
The Royals will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 at Chennai on Friday. The winner of that match will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the final on Sunday.
The official X handle of the Royals shared a short video of skipper
Sanju Samson
and spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin
celebrating the win by cutting a cake.
The Royals, who won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 under late Australian legend
Shane Warne
, bounced back from four losses in five matches including a washout.
RCB's dream run ended after they rose from the bottom of the table after eight matches to win six in a row and make the playoffs.
Ashwin was adjudged the Man of the Match for two wickets that came off successive balls sending back Cameron Green, for 27, and
Glenn Maxwell
, for a duck.
After the match, Ashwin said, "We haven't done very well in the last few games. We didn't put par scores and we lost Buttler, and Hetmyer was injured. Today's win was important. We were a bit rusty chasing it, but this win will give us some confidence. In the first half, I felt my body wasn't moving too well for the first half of the season. I had an abdomen injury as well. I am aging as well. To come into the tournament from Test cricket was difficult, I needed some time to get that bowling rhythm. But once you have committed to your franchise, you want to go through with the season."
"I think we hit the right lengths, the way Boult was bowling, he got a bit of swing and seam movement. In the second innings, I don't think there was a lot of dew. I think there were some exceptional shots from our boys to get that chase. I think our greatest strength is the exuberance of youth and the experience we have got to support that. Now that Hettie (Shimron Hetmyer) is back in, and Rovman (Powell) got a few boundaries today as well. We've got Keshav sitting outside. We have the right momentum for this team going forward," Ashwin added.
Sanju Samson equalled the record of Shane Warne for most victories as Rajasthan Royals skipper (31).
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