Jos Buttler’s record fourth Indian Premier League (IPL) century helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) qualify for their second final in the 15-year history of the league. Buttler single-handedly pulled off the run chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RR) at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Royals won the match with 11 balls to spare as RCB failed to make it to their fourth IPL final.
Electrifying start
Chasing 158, Royals got off to a brilliant start with both openers firing on all cylinders. Yashasvi Jaiswal started off the proceedings by hitting Mohammed Siraj for two sixes and one four. In the next over, Buttler took on Siraj as well and hit him for a couple of fours and one six. The Englishman took on Shahbaz Ahmed as well and hit him for two sixes and one four in the fifth over. Jaiswal's cameo came to an end in the sixth over as Josh Hazlewood broke the opening partnership. After the powerplay overs, Royals score read 67/1.
Samson falls after few sixes
Despite the wicket, Buttler continued the assault. Skipper Sanju Samson joined him as well with a few clean hits. However Samson played few too many dot deliveries and got out to Wanindu Hasaranga for the sixth time across formats. Samson scored 23 runs from 21 deliveries including one four and a couple of sixes.
Buttler hits century
After Samson’s wicket, there were a few quiet overs as Devdutt Padikkal focused on rotating strike. In the 16th over, Buttler hit Hasaranga for a couple of sixes and simplified the equation. While Buttler dominated RR bowlers, Padikkal got out to Hazlewood for a single-digit score. The in-form batter reached his century in the 18th over from 58 deliveries. He finished the game in style with a six off Patel. The opener remained unbeaten for 106 off 60 deliveries including 10 fours and six sixes.
Kohli disappoints in big game
Batting first, RCB lost Virat Kohli early in the innings as he got out caught behind trying to poke at Prasidh Krishna's short delivery. In-form Rajat Patidar and skipper Faf du Plessis helped RCB post 46/1 during powerplay overs. Once again, Patidar was dropped early in his innings. This time it was Riyan Parag, who is one of the best fielders in the RR side.
Lack of big partnerships
Du Plessis struggled in the middle overs and got out in the 11th over trying to take on Obed McCoy. He scored 25 runs from 27 deliveries. Glenn Maxwell walked out to bat with attacking approach right from the start. Maxwell could not last long at the crease and contributed with a 15-ball 23 cameo. Trent Boult got the big wicket in the 14th over.
Patidar hits fifty
In the next over, Patidar took on Chahal and reached his half-century with a huge six. With wickets falling at the other end, he took 40 deliveries to reach the milestone. However, he could not stay till the end and got out to Ashwin. He scored 58 runs from 42 deliveries including four fours and three sixes.
Quiet slog overs
In the slog overs, RCB could not finish with a flourish. McCoy got rid of Mahipal Lomror whereas Krishna got the wicket of Karthik off the first ball of the penultimate over. Krishna followed it up with a brilliant yorker to get rid of Hasaranga. Shahbaz Ahmed managed to hit a six in the same over and get the score past 150. In the last over, McCoy got the wicket of Patel and conceded just three runs as RCB managed to post 157/8.
