IPL 2022, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore highlights: Bowlers lead Rajasthan to a victory in a low-scoring encounter

Rajasthan Royals finished the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 19.3 overs to win by 29-runs in Pune on Tuesday.

Riyan Parag's one-person show puts Rajasthan Royals on the spot.

The Rajasthan Royals had a shaky start as their opener, Devdutt Padikkal, was sent to the dugout in just the second over. The Royals tried to pull off a Sunil Narine with Ravichandran Ashwin, but they were unsuccessful as the spinner was caught in the 4th over with a fast-paced 17 off nine balls to his name.

The real shocker came on the next ball when Rajasthan's century machine was caught at mid-on by Mohammed Siraj. The real test for Rajasthan began now as they looked in a tough spot with their most dangerous batsman out of the picture. 

Sanju Samson and kiwi Daryl Mitchell tried to forge a partnership and added 35 runs to the scoreboard. However, they had to part ways in the 10th over when Wanindu Hasarnaga bowled Samson out for 27 runs.

Riyan Parag then joined the crease in Rajasthan's struggling phase and tried to build a stable partnership with Mitchell. The duo added 31 runs before the struggling Mitchell departed for 16 off 24 balls. 

Rajasthan's innings looked in jeopardy with only 100 runs in 15 overs, but Parag stayed calm as his partners on the other end kept changing.

The struggles of the RR can be seen in their inability to find the fence for seven consecutive overs from 12 to 18. Parag eventually broke it and lifted Hazlewood over the extra cover fence in the 19th over.

Parag then brought up his half-century in style in the last over against Harshal Patel by hitting a ball for a boundary and two big sixes. Parag finished the innings with Yuzvendra Chahal by his side. Parag was unbeaten for 56, which is also his highest score in this IPL season, as Rajasthan Royals gave Bangalore a target of 145 runs.

Bowlers help Rajasthan Royals keep Royal Challengers Bangalore at bay.

Royal Challengers Bangalore looked strong enough to win the match after restricting Rajasthan to just 144 runs. However, they were in for a surprise. One that came from Rajasthan's bowler, Kuldeep Sen, who arrived to replace Obed McCoy in the playing eleven.

Former captain Virat Kohli came in to open with skipper Faf du Plessis and looked promising after coming off two consecutive golden ducks. Kohli hit two back-to-back boundaries off Trent Boult as the stadium roared in amazement. However, the thrill was short-lived as he was caught in the second over for only nine runs.

Rajat Patidar and du Plessis continued to add runs in the power play overs. The duo departed ways in the seventh over after du Plessis was caught for 23 runs as Kuldeep Sen started his brilliant innings. 

Glenn Maxwell followed the skipper back to the pavilion on the next ball as Sen looked geared up for a hat-trick. But Shahbaz Ahmed held his own and prevented another loss of wicket. 

Patidar was bowled in the 10th over by Ashwin as Bangalore finished the first half of their innings at 58/4. It went downhill for the Royal Challengers as they couldn't stop the fall of wickets. Not even the mighty Dinesh Karthik could save them from this slump; he was run out for just six runs.

Shahbaz Ahmed's wicket in the 16th over the last nail in the coffin as all hopes died for Bangalore. Kuldeep Sen then wound up Hasaranga and Harshal Patel to walk home with brilliant figures of 4/20, restricting Royal Challengers Bangalore to 115 runs.

With this win, Rajasthan Royals have moved to the top of the points table and will look to win their 4th consecutive match against Mumbai Indians on 30th April. On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to find their winning ways against Gujarat Titans on the same day.