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.
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.
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.
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)