Xtra Time Web Desk: A belligerent knock (106 from 60 balls) from Jos Buttler and an inspired spell of fast bowling (4-0-22-3) saw Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 7 wickets in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Friday to reach its first IPL final since 2008. The Royals will take on the Gujarat Titans on Sunday in the final on Sunday.
Put in to bat RCB was restricted to 157/8 in 20 overs. Hero of Eliminator 1, Rajat Patidar slammed a brilliant 58 off 42 balls. For Rajasthan, pacers Prasidh Krishna and Obed McCoy claimed three wickets each. In response, RR chased down the target (161/3) with 11 balls to spare.
None of the big three in RCB camp -Virat Kohli (7), captain Faf du Plessis (27 off 25) and Glenn Maxwell (24 off 13) got going. Dinesh Karthik too failed to provide the finishing touch as he was dismissed for only 6 runs.
Chasing 158 runs to win, Rajasthan openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (21 off 13) and Jos Buttler (106* off 60) gave the team a positive start, putting 61 in 5 overs. The Mumbai batter was dismissed by Jos Hazlewood. But despite losing his partner, Buttler continued the play positively as he reached his half century in just 23 balls.
Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson threw away his wicket, trying to hit Wanindu Hasaranga for a six but was stumped for 23 runs. Devdutt Padikkal too did not last long as he managed just 9 runs from 12 balls.
Buttler completed his fourth hundred of the season. His innings was studded with 10 fours and six 6. He and Shimron Hetmyer (2*) saw Rajasthan Royals romp home with 11 balls to spare.