IPL 2022 Qualifier 2, Rajasthan Royals vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore highlights: Rajasthan Royals book ticket to finals after Jos Buttler's fourth ton of the season

Rajasthan Royals beat Bangalore by 7 wickets with 21 balls remaining to book their berth in the finals against Gujarat Titans on 29th May. 

Earlier, Rajasthan restricted Bangalore at 157/8 as top batsmen like Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis could not perform. Then, Jos Buttler came up to bat for Rajasthan and swept the floor with the opposition bowlers to achieve his fourth ton of the season, leading his side to an effortless victory. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore left with Rajat Patidar as the only hope

Rajat Patidar, left unsold at the auction, came in as a wildcard entry for the Royal Challengers Bangalore mid-season. Patidar scored an impressive century last game to lead his side to the second Qualifier and was again at the center of affairs after senior batsmen from his team underdelivered.

Virat Kohli, who had a nightmare of a season, started with a roaring six but got out in the second over against Prasidh Krishna with just 7 runs to show for himself. Rajat Patidar then joined skipper Faf du Plessis, and the duo added 70 runs to the scoreboard.

However, Obed McCoy removed du Plessis in the eleventh over after the Bangalore skipper edged one to Ashwin at short third man. 

This important breakthrough turned out to be pivotal for Rajasthan, as Bangalore were unable to form another decisive partnership. 

Glenn Maxwell joined the crease afterward and burst onto Rajasthan bowling, only to be outsmarted by Boult soon enough. The Australian tried to clear another one over the fence and paid dearly for this attempt as he was caught on the last ball of the fourteenth over. 

Rajat Patidar bought up his fifty but was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin in the sixteenth over at 58 off 42 balls, an inning that saw him hit 4 fours and 3 sixes.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore were in big trouble after Patidar's dismissal, as not even Dinesh Karthik could collect runs in the death overs. Rajasthan took 5 wickets in the last five overs and only leaked 34 runs to restrict Bangalore to 157/8.

Jos Buttler shines again to take Rajasthan Royals to their first finals since 2008

After stopping Royal Challengers Bangalore at a dismal score, it was the Rajasthan Royals' game to lose. However, the inaugural winners of the IPL didn't make a single error in their batting to pick up an easy win.

Jos Buttler led the charge from the beginning, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal. While Jaiswal was dismissed in the last power play over at 21 off 13, Buttler continued the flurry of runs. 

Skipper Sanju Samson joined in, but he also played second fiddle in front of the incredible Englishman. Until Bangalore picked up Samson's wicket, Rajasthan had already ensured that the game was in their hands. 

Buttler was then joined by Devdutt Padikkal and later by Shimron Hetmyer, who gave the strike to Buttler in the eighteenth over, only for him to end things with a hanging six.

Buttler scored his fourth century of this season, equaling Virat Kohli's legendary record from 2016.

Now, Rajasthan Royals have only one test remaining in Gujarat Titans to get their hands on the trophy that they have coveted since the end of the first season. And not to mention, give a befitting tribute to the late Shane Warne, who started it for the Rajasthan Royals.

Gujarat Titans will take on Rajasthan Royals on 29th May in front of 1 lakh cricket fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.