Dugout News: RCB vs RR

While everyone was waiting in anticipation for Qualifier 2 to begin and see who would be the other finalist alongside Gujarat Titans for IPL 2022, what came as a little wave of shock was RCB skipper Faf du Plessis' post-toss losing remark, "We were actually looking to bat first". 

Rajasthan Royals' skipper Sanju Samson won the toss and chose to bowl first. He justified the decision, owing to the stickiness of the wicket at Narendra Modi Stadium. It seemed to be a correct justification for the pitch. Moreover, the pitch at Ahmedabad stadium looks to consider a little dew factor in evening matches due to its location and weather. However, Faf du Plessis, wanting to bat first even on winning the toss, instilled a sense of doubt. Though they intended to post a massive total on board in the big game, the pitch at Motera has been more sound for bowlers in the first innings most of the time. And the difference was seen; RCB batters struggled to score against RR bowlers in the first inning, and RCB bowlers struggled to put Rajasthan Batters in the same spot in the second innings. 

Redemption of Prasidh Krishna

From failing to defend 16 runs in qualifier one against Gujarat Titans to returning for figures of 3 for 22 in qualifier two against Royal Challengers Bangalore, the week has been of both highs and lows for the bowler. In the final over of qualifier 1, the bowler had to defend 16 runs; however, he was smacked for three consecutive sixes by David Miller to finish the game in the first three balls.

And now, three days later, Prasidh's spell to Virat Kohli in the second over of the match saw the bowler going over 140 kmph combined with varying degrees of inswing. And on the fifth ball, he sent Kohli back bowling at the fifth stump channel, nicked by the batter only to be caught behind the stumps. After a good start, the bowler returned in the 19th over when RCB was 146/6, with Dinesh Karthik on the crease. The bowler bowled wide off stump at a reasonable length, forcing Karthik to reach for the ball. The batter failed to connect well and touched it with the toe-end of his bat, getting into the fielder's hand. He dismissed Hasaranga with a yorker on the next ball and splattered his middle and leg stumps. 

Apart from these two overs, he has been incredible in a four-over spell. He conceded just 22 runs and took three crucial wickets. Looking at his pace and strategy, he received a lot of praise from former cricketers. 

The Royals' head coach, Kumar Sangakkara, said, "Special mention to Prasidh. Sixteen to defend in the last game, three sixes by Miller, and that's a huge dent in your confidence with just a couple of days to turn it around, and the way he responded at training, the way he was honest with me and the rest of the group about what he could do better, was really impressive to see. He's a very special talent."

Wasim Jaffer praised the bowler, "If you're a fast bowler playing vs RCB and someone asks what you want, can't imagine any other answer than 'Virat's wicket at the top and DK's at the death'. Super bowling tonight from @prasidh43 #RRvsRCB #IPL2022

Irfan Pathan tweeted, "My man of the match is Prasidh Karishna. What a first spell that was."

Commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote, "One of those days when Prasidh Krishna reminds you why he can be a unique talent."

Another Failure of KGF; Rajat Patidar onto rescue again

Bangalore's power-strikers failed to deliver as expected and gave a challenging total to Rajasthan despite wanting to bat first and getting to do so in the qualifier match. The KGF of RCB, Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf du Plessis in 2nd, 14th and 11th overs. Prasidh Krishna, in the second over, dismissed Virat Kohli, bowling short of good length and outside of. Kohli nicked the ball with the outside edge and got caught by Samson from behind for just seven runs. 

Rajat Patidar took to fields at number three. He built a quick 70 run partnership with skipper Faf in 53 balls. However, Obed McCoy, in the 11th over, bowled the length ball at an angle across the batter; the ball then went towards the covers to land in the hands of Ravichandran Ashwin, departing Faf du Plessis for 25 off 27. 

Then came Glenn Maxwell, who tried to smack and dominate bowler and fetched 32 runs off 20 in partnership with Rajat. But in the 14th over, Trent Boult trapped Maxwell for a short ball down the leg side, sending him off for 24 in 13 balls. And this way, the K. G. F. of RCB paved their way back to the pavilion. Again, only Rajat Patidar's 58 runs off 42 balls helped take 157. 

RCB's innings were full of inconsistency from the top-to middle order, followed by a lot of crashing except for a couple of dominant streaks.

Rajasthan Royals into finals after the inaugural edition

Fourteen years later, Rajasthan Royals have finally made it back into the finals with a bang. The last time when they got into the finals in the inaugural edition, they finished the season with a trophy. This year Rajasthan is looking precisely into the same momentum. Rajasthan Royals' destructive bowling, followed by Buttler's fourth century of IPL 2022, guided Rajasthan Royals towards a seven-wicket win in qualifier two against Royal Challengers Bangalore at Narendra Modi Stadium in the qualifier 2. 

Scoring his fourth century of the season and equalling Virat Kohli's record of most centuries in a season, Jos Buttler paid tribute to former Rajasthan Royals' captain Shane Warne. Chasing a target of 158 for victory, Rajasthan reached the target with 11 balls and seven wickets remaining. RR will now see Gujarat Titans in the final clash on 29th May 2022. 

Post-winning Rajasthan Royals, Twitter handle posted, "You never run out of runs, but we're running out of words. #RoyalsFamily | #HallaBol | #RRvRCB.”

Suresh Raina congratulated the team, "RR @rajasthanroyals make it to the #iplfinal after 14 years. @josbuttler has been a treat to watch. Great achievement. The better team reached the finals. #RCBvsRR #ipl2022.”

Aakash Chopra wrote, “इस टीम का मान, शान, सम्मान…शतक का प्रधान 

Four centuries in a season. 800+ runs. A century and a fifty in playoffs. Jos is the best T20 batter on the planet. Without a doubt."