KOLKATA: Lucknow Super Giants failed to replicate what another IPL debutant Gujarat Titans did a day earlier, going down to Royal Challengers Bangalore by 14 runs in the Eliminator at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.
Like GT skipper Hardik Pandya, his LSG counterpart KL Rahul excelled, but failed to take the side home as they managed 193 for six while chasing 208 runs for victory. The opener took on the responsibility after losing his partner Quinton de Kock in the first over of the chase and raised hopes of a victory by being involved in a 96-run third-wicket partnership off 61 balls with Deepak Hooda.
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But things turned difficult after they managed 40 runs in the next six overs after getting 62 for two in the Powerplay. Rahul perished for 79 thereby ending LSG's challenge. Josh Hazlewood ended up as RCB's most successful bowler claiming three for 43. RCB will now play RR in Ahmedabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday seeking a ticket to the final.
1/10:Bangalore edge out Lucknow
<p>Rajat Patidar was the unlikely hero as he hammered a magnificent hundred on Wednesday to help Royal Challengers Bangalore edge out Lucknow Super Giants by 14 runs and move within one win of the IPL final. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
2/10:The injury replacement
<p>Patidar, who was only drafted into the side midway through the tournament as an injury replacement, smashed 112 not out off 54 deliveries in the Eliminator. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
3/10:Rajat Patidar
<p>The 28-year-old Patidar struck 12 fours and seven sixes to lead Bangalore to a total of 207 for four against Lucknow. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
4/10:KL Rahul
<p>Lucknow skipper KL Rahul made 79 but was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood in the penultimate over, with 28 still needed, as they finished on 193-6. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
5/10:Virat Kohli
<p>Bangalore made a poor start batting first, losing skipper Du Plessis for a duck before former captain Virat Kohli fell for a scratchy 24-ball 25. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
6/10:Maiden T20 ton
<p>But Patidar took the attack to the LSG bowlers and brought up his first T20 century, from just 49 balls, with a six. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
7/10:Dinesh Karthik
<p>Dinesh Karthik provided Patidar with crucial support, making a brisk 37 not out as the pair put on 92 in only 6.5 overs. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
8/10:Quinton de Kock
<p>Lucknow lost Quinton de Kock in the first over of their reply and Manan Vohra fell for 19 off 11 deliveries. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>
9/10:96-run stand
<p>But Rahul and Deepak Hooda eased through the gears in compiling a 96-run third-wicket partnership. (BCCI/IPL Photo)</p>
10/10:Deepak Hooda
<p>Hooda hit four sixes and one four in his 45 before he was clean bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga. (BCCI/IPL/PTI Photo)</p>Earlier on a day when big guns like Du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell failed to fire, little-known Rajat Patidar helped RCB put up a challenging total. Coming to bat at No. 3, the Madhya Pradesh batter got his first T20 century to become the highest run scorer for RCB in the IPL Playoffs.
The 28-year-old ended up unbeaten on 112 off 54 balls which included 12 fours and seven sixes. Patidar was well assisted by RCB's finisher of the season, Dinesh Karthik as their unbroken fifth-wicket stand fetched 92 runs off just 41 balls. After a slow start, RCB finished with a flourish, collecting 84 runs in the last five overs.
Patidar joined Virat Kohli after RCB lost their skipper Du Plessis in the first over and soon put the former India skipper in the shade by playing his shots early on.
Kohli did show glimpses of his sublime touch when he got his first four with a flick through the midwicket off Dushmantha Chameera, who came in place of Jason Holder, in the second over. But he perished playing an upper cut to Avesh only to be caught at third man by Mohsin.
Glenn Maxwell also departed early, but Patidar did not allow the pressure to get to him as he raced to his half century in 28 balls. He was, however, helped by some poor fielding by LSG as they dropped him thrice.
After being dropped on 72 by Deepak Hooda at deep midwicket boundary off Bishnoi, the batter hit the spinner for two sixes and one four in his last over.
Manan Vohra next grounded a chance when Patidar was on 93. The batter replied with a huge six off Mohsin in the very next delivery to reach the three-figure mark in 49 balls.
Karthik, the former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper who must have felt at home at the Eden, too joined the party, entertaining the full house with some mighty hits to stay undefeated on 37 off 23 balls.
