Jos Buttler scored a scintillating unbeaten 106, as Rajasthan Royals defeated the Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
After being asked to bat first by RR skipper, Prasidh Krishna struck a vital blow early on, by dismissing Virat Kohli (7) caught behind with a short of a length delivery outside off, nicking one behind the wickets.
Skipper Faf Du Plessis along with Rajat Patidar featured in a 70 run stand for the second wicket. The latter had a lucky escape, when Riyan Parag dropped a catch at backward point.
Obed McCoy finally broke the stand by dismissing Du Plessis, caught at short third man by Ravi Ashwin for 25.
Glenn Maxwell who looked dangerous in his innings of 24, was caught at fine leg by McCoy while attempting a pull off Trent Boult.
Patidar reached his half century off 40 balls. However after launching Ravi Ashwin for a six, he perished off the very next ball, trying to clear long-off and was caught at the boundary line by Buttler for 58.
Krishna dismissed Karthik (6) and Hasaranga (0) off consecutive deliveries as RR restricted RCB to 157/8 in 20 overs.
For Rajasthan, Prasidh and McCoy claimed 3 wickets each.
Chasing 158, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler got Rajasthan Royals off to a fantastic start. The duo added 61 runs for the opening wicket before the former perished to Josh Hazlewood for 21.
Buttler took the attack to RCB by bringing up his fifty off 23 balls. The England wicket keeper got a reprieve when Dinesh Karthik put down a simple catch off Harshal Patel.
Sanju Samson (23) was stumped while attempting a slog off Wanindu Hasaranga. However the England wicket keeper hit 10 fours and 6 sixes in his unbeaten knock of 106, as RR overhauled the target of 158 with 11 balls to spare.
With this win, the Royals have booked a place in the IPL 2022 final, where they will face Gujarat Titans on May 29, Sunday at Ahmedabad.