IPL 2022 Eliminator, RCB vs LSG: Patidar's brilliant ton keeps Royal Challengers Bangalore in the hunt, sends Lucknow Super Giants packing

Like GT skipper Hardik Pandya, his LSG counterpart KL Rahul excelled, but failed to take the side home as they managed 193 for six while chasing 208 runs for victory. The opener took on the responsibility after losing his partner Quinton de Kock in the first over of the chase and raised hopes of a victory by being involved in a 96-run third-wicket partnership off 61 balls with Deepak Hooda. AS IT HAPPENED | SCORECARDBut things turned difficult after they managed 40 runs in the next six overs after getting 62 for two in the Powerplay. Rahul perished for 79 thereby ending LSG's challenge. Josh Hazlewood ended up as RCB's most successful bowler claiming three for 43. RCB will now play RR in Ahmedabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday seeking a ticket to the final. Earlier on a day when big guns like Du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell failed to fire, little-known Rajat Patidar helped RCB put up a challenging total. Coming to bat at No. 3, the Madhya Pradesh batter got his first T20 century to become the highest run scorer for RCB in the IPL Playoffs.

The 28-year-old ended up unbeaten on 112 off 54 balls which included 12 fours and seven sixes. Patidar was well assisted by RCB's finisher of the season, Dinesh Karthik as their unbroken fifth-wicket stand fetched 92 runs off just 41 balls. After a slow start, RCB finished with a flourish, collecting 84 runs in the last five overs. Patidar joined Virat Kohli after RCB lost their skipper Du Plessis in the first over and soon put the former India skipper in the shade by playing his shots early on. Kohli did show glimpses of his sublime touch when he got his first four with a flick through the midwicket off Dushmantha Chameera, who came in place of Jason Holder, in the second over.