Live Updates

  • 7:30 PM IST

    THAT’s IT! RCB have only themselves to blame. They are eliminated. RR have done everything asked from them. They have given them a sniff for the playoffs, and deserve to make it there unless MI pull off another MI. Gopal and Sodhi’s 8 overs set things up, and Unadkat-Archer added onto the pressure. RCB managed 134 in 19.2 overs.

    RR move to the top four, but with a negative run-rate. We move onto the next tie, SRH host KKR.
  • 7:10 PM IST

    Ben Laughlin adds more to RCB woes. He missed out on a hattrick but RCB need 53 off 25 balls. Come on RR, finish this soon.

  • 7:00 PM IST

    After 14 overs, RCB 102-6. They need, a miracle, and 62 off 36 balls. Some spectacular leg spin and flight from Ish Sodhi-Shreyas Gopal has almost dented RCB’s campaign.

    It is, however, important for RR to win comprehensively. Their net run-rate would otherwise remain in the negative.
  • 6:45 PM IST

    From 75 for 1, RCB struggling at 87 for 4. Few soft dismissals have led to enormous pressure on ABD. Will he keep RCB breathing in the tournament? He would need some support from Colin de Grandhomme.

    Shreyas Gopal’s three strikes has lit up this encounter.
  • 6:16 PM IST

    RCB 45-1 (5). RR were 45 for 1 after 6 overs. ABD is taking his chances and looking dangerous as ever. Despite Kohli’s fall, ABD-Parthiv have kept the run-rate high.

  • 6:09 PM IST

    So have we seen the end of Kohli in IPL 2018? He was 56 away from becoming the first to 5,000 IPL runs. He falls short by 52.

  • 6:08 PM IST

    BLOW! BIG BLOW. Kohli perishes off Gowtham; trying to just flick it for a single. RCB surely didn’t need this when Parthiv Patel had broke the shackles with few maximums. ABD and Parthiv in the middle. RCB 27-1 (3.2).

  • 5:41 PM IST

    RCB have the lineup to chase down this total. Kohli and ABD will like to bat higher up the order, and take the momentum — if any — to end the match within 16 overs.


  • 5:40 PM IST

    Some good slogging from Klaasen and Krishnappa Gowtham take RR to 164 for 5. The last two overs leaked 28 to concede a bit of momentum to RR. Will they restrict RCB by a good margin? Remember, net run-rate will also be in both side’s mind during the second half.

  • 5:38 PM IST

  • 5:33 PM IST

    Upto Klaasen and Tripathi to get RR over 160. The pitch is suited for 170-180. But, RCB bowlers have kept things tight. RR need a big total to challenge RCB. If they win by 60 runs (or more), they will be able to turn their net run-rate into positive.

  • 5:09 PM IST

    Note: This is the fifth occasion of Umesh having a chance of getting two or more wickets in an over in IPL 2018.

    He has been in supreme form. Umesh’s spell reads 4-0-25-3.
  • 5:09 PM IST

    Umesh removes Sanju Samson as well. A soft dismissal meant Umesh was on a hat-trick but Heinrich Klaasen prevented that. What an over from the pacer. He has brought RCB back into the game.

    Umesh plumbed Klaasen as well, but the South African got a healthy inside edge. RR 103-3.
  • 5:03 PM IST

    Umesh does the work for his captain. Straight away sends Rahane, who shuffled for a flick but missed the length to be trapped lbw.

  • 5:01 PM IST

    Rahul Tripathi has got to a fifty, and accelerating. Rahane, as always, is trying hard to change gears. He really struggles doing the same. Kohli brings in Umesh to bowl the 14th over.

    RR 101-1
  • 4:41 PM IST

    Rahane-Tripathi have added over 50 runs for the second wicket. The run-rate isn’t worrisome, but the duo’s form should be a concern for RCB. Kohli has bowled his premier bowler, Umesh, for three overs. Expect Moeen/Siraj/Chahal to take center stage in the middle overs.

    RR 63-1 (9).
  • 4:26 PM IST

    Despite losing Archer in the powerplays, RR would be happy with their progress. Rahane and Tripathi compliment each other, and look confident in the middle. After 6, they are 45-1.

  • 4:22 PM IST

    RR are getting a move on here. Rahane is batting with purpose today, whereas Tripathi has got a start. They are 35-1 (5).

  • 4:12 PM IST

    After a SIX, Rahul Tripathi survived a peach off a delivery from Moeen Ali. RR are 12-1 (3). Rahane needs a big innings to lead from the front, and take his side to the playoffs.

  • 4:06 PM IST

    OUT! Archer perishes for no score. A short ball from Umesh gets a thick edge from the pacer. Stuart Binny could have been a better choice as pinch hitter, right?

  • 4:04 PM IST

    A good over from Chahal to start off. There was an appeal from Parthiv Patel for an lbw against Tripathi. It seemed like it was out, with pad first. Nonetheless, no appeal meant no harm for RR.

    Let us see if Archer can pull off a Narine for RR.
  • 3:59 PM IST

    SURPRISE SURPRISE! Jofra Archer opens the innings with Rahul Tripathi.

  • 3:52 PM IST
    I know everyone knows, but reiterating. Whoever wins first match stays (but doesn’t qualify). On the other hand, whoever loses is OUT.
  • 3:44 PM IST

    Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Rahul Tripathi, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Sanju Samson, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Ish Sodhi, Jaydev Unadkat, Ben Laughlin

  • 3:33 PM IST

    Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Parthiv Patel(w), Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Moeen Ali, Colin de Grandhomme, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

  • 3:33 PM IST
    Ajinkya Rahane: I think the wicket looks very dry. Looking forward to bat here. I think it is important to start well. It is important game for both teams.

    Virat Kohli: We would have bowled first as well. They don’t have Jos and Stokes. So, we wanted to put them in first. It is important to find the right balance. We have done decently well in the last three games.
  • 3:32 PM IST

    TOSS: RR opt to bat first.

RCB lost their last game against RR © AFP
RCB lost their last game against RR © AFP

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore updates: Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of the VIVO IPL 2018. We head to the Match 53 of the tournament where Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clash. We will bring you match updates and important stats highlights in this space. This is a must-win game for both sides, RCB are ahead of RR on run-rate despite being on 12 points each.

In their last match, RR trounced over RCB by 34 runs. Sanju Samson scored 92* that enabled propelled RR to 217. In response, RCB were helped by Virat Kohli’s valiant 57, with other big guns failing. RR will be damaged by the absence of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, who are away on national duties. Shane Warne too has headed back home.

RCB’s sudden change of fortunes is due to the form of AB de Villiers, Kohli and Umesh Yadav. RR, however, will hope that Ajinkya Rahane, D’Arcy Short step up their game in this crucial crunch match.

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore squads:

RR: Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson, Heinrich Klaasen, Stuart Binny, Rahul Tripathi, Dhawal Kulkarni, Jaydev Unadkat, Ankit Sharma, Anureet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Ben Laughlin, Dushmantha Chameera

RCB: Virat Kohli, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Parthiv Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Brendon McCullum, Colin de Grandhomme, Moeen Ali, Umesh Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Manan Vohra, Aniket Choudhary, Murugan Ashwin, Mandeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Pawan Negi, Mohammed Siraj, Corey Anderson, Tim Southee