Watch: Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell in Agony as Heart-Wrenching RCB Dressing Room Moments Surface.

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, Dinesh Karthik, and More Left Reeling as RCB’s IPL 2024 Dream Crumbles in Eliminator Loss to RR.

RCB Players Left Devastated Following Loss to RR.

RCB’s stars, including skipper Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis, and wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, contemplated the ebbs and flows of an unforgettable Indian Premier League (IPL) season after their defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the eliminator. RCB’s remarkable turnaround from a dismal start to a six-game winning streak concluded with a heartbreaking loss to RR at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.

The season marked a remarkable journey for RCB, teetering on the edge of elimination after a solitary win in their initial eight matches. However, they orchestrated a stunning resurgence, clinching six consecutive victories by substantial margins. Their crucial triumph over defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a virtual knockout showdown, secured by net run-rate, sealed their berth in the playoffs. Yet, despite their valiant efforts, the coveted trophy remains elusive after succumbing to RR. Nevertheless, RCB’s spirited display throughout the season has garnered widespread acclaim from fans, pundits, and peers alike.

In a video shared via RCB’s official platform, Virat Kohli reflected on the franchise’s lackluster performance in the first half of the season, acknowledging their failure to meet their own high standards as cricketers. Nonetheless, he expressed profound pride in witnessing his team’s remarkable resurgence from adversity.

“To be really honest, the first half of the season was a really under-par performance from us. The standards that we have as cricketers, we were not able to live up to them. Then we started expressing ourselves, played for our own self-respect. Our confidence came back. The way turned things around and qualified was truly special. It is something I will cherish and remember, because it took a lot of character and heart from the boys,” he said.

Watch full video here – https://twitter.com/i/status/1793492930872959167

Skipper Faf expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the season, acknowledging their presence in stadiums across India. He highlighted the significance of the last six games, attributing their downfall in the eliminator to falling short by approximately 15 runs. Despite the setback, he commended the team’s resilience and the overwhelming support from fans, emphasizing the pride he holds for the team’s journey from adversity to contention.

Dinesh, likely in his final IPL season, reflected on the team’s belief that this could be their year for lifting the trophy, given their turnaround. However, he acknowledged the harsh reality of sports where fairy tale endings are rare. Despite the challenges, he praised the team’s fighting spirit and the significance of attitude and belief. He expressed pride in RCB’s efforts and hoped the fans shared the same sentiment.

In the match, RCB, batting first after RR won the toss, saw various batters making starts but failing to convert them into substantial scores, managing 172/8 in 20 overs. RR’s Avesh Khan (3/44) led the bowling attack, well-supported by Ravichandran Ashwin (2/19) and Trent Boult (1/16).

Chasing, RR got off to a strong start, but RCB’s bowlers applied pressure, restricting them to 112/4 in 13.1 overs. However, Riyan Parag (36) and late contributions from Shimron Hetmyer (26) and Rovman Powell (16*) ensured RR’s victory with an over to spare, reaching 176/6. Mohammed Siraj (2/33) was RCB’s top bowler, while Ashwin earned the ‘Player of the Match’ award.