RCB Quash Rajasthan Royals; Will Face Chennai Super Kings Next

Royal Challengers Bangalore thump Rajasthan Royals to make it to Qualifier 2 against Chennai Super Kings.

RCB captain Virat Kohli celebrates with David Wiese for getting RR captain Steven Smith’s wicket during the eliminator match of the IPL 2015 at the MCA International Stadium in Pune. (Photo: PTI)

AB de Villiers combined with Mandeep Singh for a game-changing partnership as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) eliminated Rajasthan Royals (RR) from the 2015 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a splendid 71-run win in Pune on Wednesday.

AB De Villiers of the Royal Challengers Bangalore plays a shot during the eliminator match of the IPL against Rajasthan Royals. (Photo: PTI)

De Villiers hit a brilliant 38-ball 66 and shared a match-winning 113-run stand with Mandeep Singh (54 not out) as Bangalore recovered from a sluggish start to post a challenging 180 for four after electing to bat.

Mandeep Singh of the Royal Challengers Bangalore plays a shot during the eliminator match of the IPL against Rajasthan Royals. (Photo: PTI)

Rajasthan had the proceedings firmly under their grip but they leaked 86 runs in the last six overs to let it slip.

While batting, Rajasthan never looked convincing in their chase as they kept losing wickets and eventually folded for just 109 in 19 overs, built around Ajinkya Rahane’s fighting 42.

Ajinkya Rahane of the Rajasthan Royals plays a shot during the eliminator match of the IPL 2015 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. (Photo: PTI)

Rajasthan’s surprise capitulation reduced it to a lop-sided affair and their total was the lowest in the IPL playoffs.

Bangalore will now play against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second Qualifier on Friday, the winner of which will lock horns with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the summit clash on Sunday.

(With inputs from PTI)