Rajat Patidar scored a stunning maiden hundred as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat the Lucknow Super Giants by 14 runs in the Eliminator at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
After being asked to bat first by LSG skipper KL Rahul, RCB got off to a disastrous start as skipper Faf du Plessis (0) perished to a peach of a delivery from Mohsin Khan in the first over.
The pair of Virat Kohli and Patidar added 66 runs for the second wicket before the former toe-ended an upper cut off Avesh Khan to Mohsin at third man.
Krunal Pandya struck a vital blow by dismissing Glenn Maxwell (9), caught at deep square leg by Evin Lewis.
Mahipal Lomror (14) looked good during his short stay before perishing to Ravi Bishnoi, caught at extra cover by
Lokesh Rahul.
Dinesh Karthik got a reprieve on 2, when Rahul put down a tough chance at mid off.
Patidar (112)* along with Karthik (37)* featured in an unbeaten 92 run stand for the fifth wicket to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to an imposing total of 207/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 208, Mohammed Siraj drew first blood by dismissing Quinton de Kock (6) in the very first over.
Josh Hazlewood then got into the act by claiming the wicket of Manan Vohra (19), miscuing a heave to Shahbaz Ahmed at midwicket.
The Lucknow skipper KL Rahul was involved in a 96 run stand for the third wicket alongside Deepak Hooda before the latter was cleaned up by Wanindu Hasaranga for a 26 ball-45.
Harshal Patel then dismissed Marcus Stoinis for nine, as the all rounder slashed a short delivery straight to Patidar at deep extra cover.
With 33 needed off the 12 balls, Hazlewood dented Lucknow’s hopes by dismissing skipper Rahul, caught at short fine leg by Shahbaz Ahmed for 79, and then Krunal Pandya off the very next ball, chipping a full toss straight back to the bowler.
In the end LSG reached 193/6, losing the contest by 14 runs. RCB will now meet the Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2 on Friday.
Royal Challengers Bangalore 207 for 4 (Patidar 112*, Karthik 37*) beat Lucknow Super Giants 193 for 6 (Rahul 79, Hooda 45, Hazlewood 3-43) by 14 runs