Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) spinner Karn Sharma missed a big opportunity to dismiss Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper Sanju Samson during the IPL 2024 Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, May 22.
The incident took place in the eighth over of the Rajasthan Royals' run-chase when Sanju Samson was casually returning back to non-striker's end after he was denied a second run by Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, Samson didn't ground the bat when Karn Sharma collected the ball from Swapnil Singh's throw and missed a chance to run him out.
Virat Kohli was visibly unhappy with Karn for missing a big opportunity to run out Samson, which could've given another breakthrough for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
However, Karn Sharma had a last laugh as he dismissed Sanju Samson for 17 at 86/3 in the 10th over of the RR's run-chase. Sharma delivered a wide-ball, immediating Samson to step out of his crease in an attempt to hit it but he missed the ball the entirely, allowing wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik to stump him out with an easy.
After Samson's dismissal, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel carried on RR's innings but the latter had a short stay at the crease as he was run out for 8 at 112/4. Then, Parag was joined by Shimron Hetmyer at the crease and the pair formed a crucial 45-run partnership to take RR past 150-run mark until the Hetmyer was removed by Mohammed Siraj for 26 off 14 balls at 157/5.
Riyan Parag's stay at the crease ended after he was bowled out by Siraj for 36 off 26 balls at 160/6. With 13 runs off 12 balls required to win, the middle-order batter Rovman Powell smashed 14 runs, including two fours and a six, in the penultimate over to help Rajasthan Royals' chase down 174-run target with an over to spare.
'We need to have the character to bounce back': Sanju Samson
Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson lauded his team for their character and resilience to bounce back from five-match winless streak. He heaped praise on his bowlers for putting their best foot forward and credited head coach Kumar Sangakkara and bowling coach Shane Bond for working extremely hard behind the scene.
"What cricket and life have taught us is we will have some good and some really bad phases. But we need to have the character to bounce back. Really happy with the way we fielded, batted and bowled today." Samson said at the post-match presentation.
"Credit to the bowlers, they are always looking at what the opposition batters would do and what fields to set. Credit goes to Sanga and bowling coach Shane Bond as well. They've spent a lot of time in hotel rooms discussing these things." he added.
Rajasthan Royal will battle out against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2 in order to set up title clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 26 at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.
