With the IPL 2024 league phase concluded, the highly anticipated playoffs are upon us. Kolkata Knight Riders confront Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1, with the winner securing a direct spot in the final. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator, and the victor will take on the losing side from Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2, whose winner will advance to the final. While fans and experts eagerly predict the finalists, legendary Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has boldly predicted a KKR-RCB final with an intriguing Gautam Gambhir-Virat Kohli clash at its heart.
Results for: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) IPL 2024 campaign came to a disappointing end with a 27-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday. CSK needed to keep their loss margin below 18 runs to qualify for the playoffs, but they were restricted to 191/7 in a 219-run chase. RCB’s victory secured their place in the knockout stage for the ninth time in IPL history. Former India batter Ambati Rayudu expressed his belief that Dhoni, despite the loss, has not played his last IPL match. Rayudu advocated for the continuation of the Impact Player rule, suggesting it could extend Dhoni’s career in the league. However, the Impact Player rule has drawn criticism from other active Indian cricketers, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) journey in IPL 2024 was a tale of two halves. After a dismal start, they underwent a remarkable transformation to secure a place in the playoffs. A change in mindset, coupled with impressive performances from the bowling unit and key batsmen, fueled their resurgence.
Former India cricketer Virat Kohli has launched a scathing attack on India legend Sunil Gavaskar, saying that he does not need anyone’s approval or assurance about his game. Kohli’s comments came ahead of the IPL 2024 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kohli has been criticized for his strike rate in the T20 format, especially against spinners and in the middle overs. However, Kohli hit back at his critics following his match-winning 70* against Gujarat Titans, where he scored 61 runs against the spinners at a strike rate of 179. Furious at the former India captain’s explosive remark, Gavaskar blasted Kohli live on-air. On Saturday, ahead of the all-important IPL 2024 clash, which will decide RCB’s fate for the playoffs, Kohli, in an interview on JioCinema, said that he does not need to react to outside noise as he is well aware of his capabilities.
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli recently revealed that his elder daughter, Vamika, has taken a liking to cricket. In a candid conversation with Danish Sait, Kohli shared that Vamika has been seen swinging a cricket bat. However, he emphasized that the ultimate decision about her career path lies with her. Kohli also provided an update on his newborn son, Akaay, stating that he is healthy and doing well. The RCB star, who is currently in contention for the Orange Cap in the ongoing IPL season, discussed other topics, including Sunil Chhetri’s retirement announcement and RCB’s upcoming match against Chennai Super Kings.
Former teammates Ishant Sharma and Virat Kohli showcased their close bond during an IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Ishant dismissed Kohli with a short delivery caught by the wicketkeeper, and in a lighthearted moment, playfully pushed Kohli with his body. Kohli reciprocated with a smile, underscoring their enduring friendship beyond the field of play.
In a crucial IPL 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Axar Patel will take over as captain of the Delhi Capitals in place of Rishabh Pant. Pant was suspended by the BCCI for his third over-rate offence, resulting in a one-match ban and a fine of ₹30 lakh. Despite an appeal by the Delhi Capitals, the BCCI Ombudsman upheld the match referee’s decision. Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting expressed confidence in Patel’s abilities, highlighting his experience and understanding of the game. Patel has served as vice-captain for the franchise in the past. DC currently stands fifth in the points table, while RCB is riding a four-match winning streak. Ponting emphasized that while the game will be competitive, DC is determined to perform well despite Pant’s absence. David Warner’s fitness will also be reassessed ahead of the match.
Virat Kohli, the former Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper, showcased his batting prowess once again with a sublime knock against Punjab Kings in matchday 58 of the Indian Premier League 2024. Kohli notched up his sixth half-century of the season, becoming the first batter to complete 600 runs in the tournament. His explosive innings of 92 off 47 balls propelled RCB to a challenging total of 241 against PBKS.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will face a struggling Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday, aiming to capitalize on their batting prowess after a remarkable IPL season so far. SRH has displayed exceptional batting, breaking the 250-run mark thrice and setting a powerplay record against Delhi Capitals. In their previous encounter, SRH set a 125/0 powerplay target, hinting at their potential to reach 300 runs. RCB, on the other hand, faces challenges with their bowling, having conceded over 180 runs in their last five matches. Despite Virat Kohli’s standout performance, RCB’s lopsided squad lacks all-round consistency. SRH’s Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen have strengthened their batting lineup, while RCB looks to rebound from recent defeats. Both teams will vie for crucial points as the IPL season progresses, with SRH aware of the challenges posed by RCB’s batters.
Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble reveals how Vijay Mallya, former owner of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, insisted on bringing him to the team during the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League. Despite not being included in the initial list of icon players, Mallya’s declaration of Kumble as his ‘Bangalore boy’ at the auction ensured his acquisition by the RCB at his base price. Kumble remained with the team for three seasons, making 42 appearances and capturing 45 wickets.