NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru's loss in the Eliminator clash on Wednesday against Rajasthan Royals ended their dream second half run as they crashed out of IPL 2024.
Unable to defend a par 172, the defeat in the knock-out game halted RCB's six-match winning streak.
Although RCB did claw back in game for a brief period when scratchy Royals lost quick wickets mid-way in chase but a composed Riyan Parag and later Rovman Powell ensured that their side crossed the finish line with an over to spare.
And with the game slipping away from RCB's grasp towards the end, team's star Virat Kohli was visibly angry as he was seen mumbling and smashing bottle while fielding at the fence.
In a viral video, Kohli's frustrated avatar came to the fore when Yash Dayal was hit for consecutive boundaries in the 17th over of Royals' chase. In the video, Kohli can be seen complaining to fellow RCB player and support staff as Dayal leaked boundaries.
Royals ended RCB's roller coaster run with a scrappy four-wicket win in the Eliminator.
After their bowlers had done their part well to keep RCB to 172 for 8, RR 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 Powell (16 not out) provided the finishing touches in a tense finish.
