Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over RCB in the IPL eliminator match, advancing to Qualifier 2. This win not only kept their championship hopes alive but also marked a significant milestone for their captain, Sanju Samson.
Sanju Samson has now equalled the record for the most wins as captain of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, matching the legendary Shane Warne with 31 victories. Warne, who famously led Rajasthan to their inaugural IPL title in 2008, was a pivotal figure in the team’s history. Following Samson and Warne, Rahul Dravid ranks third with 18 wins during his tenure, while Steve Smith is fourth with 15 wins as captain.
The defeat marked a disappointing end to RCB’s campaign, as their hopes of clinching their first IPL title were dashed once again. This loss is particularly notable as it is RCB’s 10th defeat in the playoffs. Despite reaching the playoffs 16 times over 17 seasons, the team has struggled to progress, holding the record for the most playoff losses in IPL history. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals are next in line, each with nine playoff defeats. However, Chennai has played 26 playoff matches, and Delhi has played 11, highlighting RCB’s relative inefficiency in crucial matches.
The IPL playoff structure consists of Qualifier 1, the Eliminator, Qualifier 2, and the Final. In this format, the top two teams from the league stage compete in Qualifier 1, with the winner advancing directly to the Final. The loser of Qualifier 1 then faces the winner of the Eliminator (contested by the third and fourth-placed teams) in Qualifier 2, for another shot at reaching the Final.
Rajasthan Royals’ journey in the IPL continues with renewed hope, driven by the leadership of Sanju Samson. As they prepare for their next challenge in Qualifier 2, the team will aim to build on their momentum and move closer to securing their second IPL title.
