Royal Challengers Bangalore edged out the Lucknow Super Giants by 14 runs in a high-scoring IPL 2022 Eliminator clash, advancing to face the Rajasthan Royals for a place in the championship game. Chasing a daunting 208, LSG seemed to be in the driver's seat for a while, fueled by captain KL Rahul's spirited 79 and a steady 96-run alliance with Deepak Hooda. However, RCB showed great resilience, fighting their way back into the game during the final overs.
Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 14-runs in a high-scoring IPL 2022 Eliminator. RCB will now take on Rajasthan Royals for a place in the final. Chasing a big target of 208, LSG was powered by captain KL Rahul’s entertaining knock of 79-runs and his partnership with Deepak Hooda of 96-runs at one stage had put LSG in control. However, RCB clawed their way back into the contest in the death overs.
RCB's start was rocky, with captain Faf du Plessis getting out on the very first ball. However, the momentum shifted when Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar fought back to put on 66 runs, though Kohli eventually departed for 25 via Avesh Khan. Glenn Maxwell provided little help, exiting for only 9. A turning point came when LSG failed to capitalize on fielding opportunities, dropping both Patidar and Dinesh Karthik—errors that ultimately cost them the match.
The finish was explosive, as Patidar and Karthik (37) hammered 86 runs in the final five overs. Patidar's performance was nothing short of legendary for the IPL playoffs, scoring an unbeaten 112 to propel RCB to a massive total of 207/4. With this innings, the right-hander also claimed the record for the quickest century of the current IPL season.
The chase began poorly for LSG when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Quinton de Kock for just 6. While KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda (45) played calculated innings to keep the target within reach, they were eventually stifled by the precise death bowling of Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel. The hopes of LSG effectively vanished when Rahul was dismissed in the 19th over, and Harshal Patel sealed the victory for RCB with a stellar final over.