On May 27, 2022, the highly anticipated IPL Qualifier match took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Rajasthan Royals squared off against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Rajasthan Royals emerged victorious, clinching the match by 7 wickets after a well-executed chase.
RCB had a shaky start as they faced early setbacks with key wickets falling cheaply. The captain, Virat Kohli, struggled to find his rhythm and was dismissed for just 7 runs. Faf du Plessis provided some stability with 25 runs, but it was Rajat Patidar who stood out, scoring a commendable 58 off 65 balls, anchoring the innings amidst a flurry of wickets. Contributions from Glenn Maxwell (24 runs) and a few lower-order scores could not bolster RCB sufficiently, as they ended their innings at a modest 157 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
The bowling attack from Rajasthan was spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna, who claimed impressive figures of 3 wickets for just 22 runs in 4 overs. Obed McCoy also contributed significantly, taking 3 wickets for 23 runs, further demolishing RCB’s hopes of a solid total.
In response, Rajasthan Royals showcased an aggressive batting performance, successfully chasing down the target with an impressive total of 161 runs in just 18.1 overs. The innings was dominated by an explosive knock from Jos Buttler, who scored an exceptional 106 runs off 86 balls, including 10 fours and 6 sixes. Buttler's innings was instrumental in steering Rajasthan towards victory, supported by Yashasvi Jaiswal's 21 runs and Sanju Samson's contribution of 23 runs.
The bowling unit of Royal Challengers Bangalore struggled to contain the run flow, with Josh Hazlewood being the standout performer, taking 2 wickets for 23 runs in his 4 overs.
In summary, Rajasthan Royals not only showcased their batting prowess with a successful chase but also demonstrated tactical acumen with a remarkable bowling display to secure their place in the IPL finals. With this victory, they marked an important step in their quest for the coveted IPL title.