IPL 2024, Eliminator: Rajasthan Win Toss, Opt To Bowl Against Bengaluru; Check Playing XIs

Ahmedabad: The stage is set for an electrifying clash in the IPL 2024 Eliminator as the resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns with the struggling Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad tonight.

With just three victories separating them from the elusive IPL title, RCB will be riding high on confidence after securing six wins on the trot, while Rajasthan will be desperate to end their winless streak this month.

The winner of this do-or-die encounter will advance to Qualifier 2 in Chennai, where they will face the formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a spot in the final against the mighty Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who have already booked their place in the summit clash scheduled for May 26.

Rajasthan were seemingly unstoppable in the first half of the season, poised to finish at the top of the table. However, their fortunes took a dramatic turn as they imploded towards the business end, losing four consecutive matches before their last league game was washed out due to rain in Guwahati. Rajasthan will undoubtedly be kicking themselves for not securing a top-two finish and avoiding the Eliminator.

On the contrary, Bengaluru’s resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. After winning just one of their first eight matches, RCB embarked on an extraordinary six-match winning streak in the league stage, culminating with a sensational knockout punch to the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings.

The weather forecast for Ahmedabad on Wednesday is favourable, with a full 40-overs contest expected to take place in hot and humid conditions. The pitch is expected to be a good batting surface, with enough assistance for the fast bowlers, particularly in the early overs. Preserving wickets during the powerplay will be crucial for the batting teams as the surface is likely to become progressively easier for batting later in the innings.

Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis(c), Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik(w), Mahipal Lomror, Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson

RCB Impact Subs: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Himanshu Sharma

Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sanju Samson(w/c), Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Rovman Powell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal

RR Impact Subs: Shubham Dubey, Donovan Ferreira, Nandre Burger, Shimron Hetmyer, Tanush Kotian