Glenn Maxwell’s struggles in the IPL continued as Royal Challengers Bangalore faced a heart-wrenching defeat against Rajasthan Royals, extending Virat Kohli’s quest for his maiden IPL title.
Rajasthan’s disciplined bowling attack restricted Bangalore to 172-8, a total Rajasthan successfully chased down with six balls to spare in the high-stakes playoff at Ahmedabad.
Maxwell’s woes deepened as he equaled Dinesh Karthik’s unwanted record for the most ducks in IPL history, failing to score a single run before being caught off Ravichandran Ashwin’s delivery.
Critics, including Kevin Pietersen, questioned Maxwell’s shot selection, highlighting the magnitude of the game and the need for key players to step up.
Maxwell’s struggles come amidst a challenging season for him, having taken a break last month due to physical and mental fatigue.
Rajasthan’s chase saw ups and downs, with key wickets falling at crucial junctures. However, resilient performances from Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Rovman Powell guided Rajasthan to a thrilling victory.
With this win, Rajasthan revived their campaign after a series of setbacks, while Bangalore’s dream run came to an end despite a remarkable turnaround in the league stage.
Earlier, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli’s contributions couldn’t propel Bangalore to a formidable total, with Rajasthan’s bowlers maintaining control throughout the innings.
As Rajasthan gears up to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final playoff, the IPL frenzy intensifies, with fans eagerly awaiting the ultimate showdown on May 26.
Kolkata Knight Riders await the winner of the last playoff, setting the stage for a gripping finale to this year’s IPL season.
