IPL: Royal Challengers Bangalore still fighting for first IPL title thanks to Rajat Patidar’s 49-ball hundred

Rajat Patidar scores 49-ball century – his maiden T20 hundred – as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Lucknow Super Giants by 14 runs in IPL eliminator; RCB face Rajasthan Royals on Friday for right to meet Gujarat Titans in Sunday’s final; Super Giants knocked out

​​​​Royal Challengers Bangalore’s hopes of a first IPL title remain alive after Rajat Patidar’s 49-ball hundred powered them to a 14-run victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the eliminator.

Three-time runners-up RCB will face Rajasthan Royals on Friday for the right to face Gujarat Titans in Sunday’s final but Lucknow have been knocked out, with Patidar their chief destroyer.

The Bangalore batter, uncapped by India at senior level, thumped seven sixes and 12 fours in an innings of 112 not out from 54 deliveries – his first century in T20 cricket.

Patidar’s hundred, plus a breezy 37 not out from 23 deliveries from Dinesh Karthik, lifted RCB to 207-4 from their 20 overs at Eden Gardens, as the side plundered 84 runs from the final five overs.

Patida’s highlights reel included five boundaries in a row – three sixes and two fours – off Ravi Bishnoi in the 16th over, although the second boundary in that sequence came as he was dropped in the deep on 72, while he was also spilled on 93 in the 18th over ahead of a 21-run 19th over.

Super Giants – making their IPL bow this season, just like confirmed finalists Gujarat – scored 193-6 in reply, captain KL Rahul the pick of the batters with 79 from 58 balls.

Lucknow’s hopes effectively ended when RCB seamer Josh Hazlewood (3-43) dismissed Rahul and Krunal Pandya from successive deliveries in the 19th over, leaving the requirement 29 from seven balls.

Dushmantha Chameera hit the next ball for four and a six in the final over but Super Giants came up short as their participation in this year’s tournament ended.

Watch the IPL qualifier between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore live on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm on Friday. The winners will face Gujarat Titans on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm.