IPL 2022 Highlights, RR vs RCB Qualifier 2: Buttler ton helps Rajasthan thrash Bangalore, set up final against Gujarat

Virat Kohli has been the most prolific batter for Bangalore with 593 runs against Rajasthan. For the Royals, Sanju Samson leads the panel with 295 runs against the opposition.

Sanju had also notched up an unbeaten 92 against Bangalore in the 2018 edition. Kohli's highest score against Rajasthan remains 72* in 2020.

Regardless of the conditions in Ahmedabad, Bangalore will expect a tidy bowling show from Harshal, who registered 2-0-8-0 in the middle overs against Lucknow. The pacer has once again been RCB's bowling backbone after claiming 32 wickets and Purple Cap in the last IPL edition.

Bangalore will hope for Patidar to do an encore, besides expecting the likes of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis to fire at the start. The star opening pair will look for runs after perishing early in the last game.

Dinesh Karthik, who shared a 92 off 41 balls with Patidar to take RCB across the 200-mark against LSG, bracketed the uncapped Indian's knock among the best he's witnessed.

"It was probably the best innings by an uncapped player that I've seen. Outstanding batting. He is very cool, calm, and has a shy personality. It shows in his batting, you get the feeling that he is lazy but that is just his personality," said the seasoned keeper-batter.

Patidar's match-defining knock drew high praise from his teammates. Kohli said Patidar's ton was one of the best innings produced under pressure.

"That was one of the best innings I've ever seen under pressure by Rajat Patidar, and I've seen many. "That level of striking in this game is some level of batting. Watch out for him," said the Bangalore stalwart.

The best for Samson's men has come through their bowlers. Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is the highest wicket-taker of the season with 26 wickets in 15 matches.

Prasidh Krishna has taken 15 wickets in 15 matches with an economy of 8.36. Trent Boult has got 14 wickets in 14 matches with an economy of 8.33.

For Bangalore, Harshal Patel and Josh Hazlewood remain the key, especially at the death. Harshal has been brilliant with his wily cutters and pace variations, while Hazlewood has been hitting the right note. Harshal has scalped 19 wickets in 15 matches with an economy of 7.57. Hazlewood has got 18 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of 8.33.

The spin bowling pair of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin didn't manage to pluck a wicket against Gujarat. Both players will search for wickets under new conditions in Ahmedabad. Trent Boult will also eye early breakthroughs, while Prasidh Krishna looks to forget his last over against David Miller.

Faf du Plessis (captain), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Karthik, Josh Hazlewood, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anuj Rawat, Akash Deep, Mahipal Lomror, Finn Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Behrendorff, Suyash Prabhudesai, Chama Milind, Aneeshwar Gautam, Karn Sharma, David Willey, Rajat Patidar and Siddharth Kaul

“It's been 14 years for RCB (as they've never owned that elusive silverware) and 13 years since Rajasthan won their last title in the inaugural season. So between the two of them, it's been 27 years."

"They both want it badly and it will be a battle of Royals. Let's wait for that one. It's going to be a great contest as both the teams would want to win it badly,” Ravi Shastri told Star Sports.

Dinesh Karthik has been reprimanded for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the Eliminator game against Lucknow. However, the BCCI hasn't mentioned the specific nature of the offence.

"Karthik admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct and accepted the sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding," the BCCI release stated.

Faf du Plessis remains the top run-scorer for Royal Challengers Bangalore this season. He has gathered 443 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 130.2. Former skipper Virat Kohli has also been good with the bat in the last few innings. He has scored 334 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 116.7.

While Rajat Patidar took the attack to the RCB bowlers and brought up his first T20 century, Dinesh Karthik continued his stellar form to hit a brisk 37 not out.

The seasoned keeper-batter has revelled in role of a finisher and scored 324 runs in 15 matches with a brilliant strike rate of 187.2.

"The wicket was pretty good and I played some good shots," said Patidar on his scintillating show at the Eden Gardens. "I never feel any pressure as I think I have the ability to make up for the dots."

The uncapped player was confident during his stay at the crease. He hit 12 fours and seven sixes to lead Bangalore to a total of 207 for four.

While Rajasthan rely heavily on Jos Buttler and skipper Sanju Samson, Bangalore expect runs from Rajat Patidar. The Indian shone when it mattered the most.

Patidar who was only drafted into the side midway through the tournament as an injury replacement, hit 112 not out off 54 deliveries in the eliminator.

"The best thing is that we have one day and we play again. Cannot wait to be in Ahmedabad and take the field again. We are so excited and happy with how things have gone. Hopefully, two more games and we all can celebrate," Virat Kohli told the IPL website after the win over LSG.

Rajasthan and Bangalore have faced each other on 26 occasions. Bangalore have a slight edge with 13 wins, while Rajasthan have triumphed 11 times. In the last five seasons, Bangalore have won five out of nine games against Rajasthan.

Jos Buttler is the highest run-getter of this season with 718 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 148.35.

Royals skipper Sanju Samson has also shown how to lead the team from the front. He scored 421 runs in 15 matches with a strike rate of 150.36. Former Bangalore youngster Devdutt Padikkal has also shone with the bat to gather 365 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 128.52.

Rashid Khan kept a lid on the opposition scoring with his leg-spin as he choked the opposition of runs during his four overs. Bangalore will heavily rely on Wanindu Hasaranga to apply the brakes tonight. The Sri Lankan is just one wicket away from equalling Yuzvendra Chahal in the top-wicket takers' list of IPL 2022.

Rajasthan started cautiously against Gujarat before Sanju Samson made 47 off 26 balls, adding 68 with Jos Buttler. The Englishman, who is leading the tournament batting chart with 718 runs including three centuries, looked scratchy in the beginning but ended up hitting 12 fours and two sixes in his 89.

Rajasthan fans will hope for the pair to do an encore! 

In the previous game, Rajasthan had no answer to the show put up by David Miller. Known as 'Killer' Miller for his big-hitting prowess, the left-hand batter whacked three fours and five sixes in his 38-ball knock.

"We are still alive. We still got a chance, disappointed today but dust ourselves off and go again," Jos Buttler said of his team, who won the inaugural IPL edition back in 2008. "We have full faith in the guys, we have a really good team."

Sanju Samson (captain), Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Shimron Hetmyer, Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Riyan Parag, KC Cariappa, Navdeep Saini, Obed McCoy, Anunay Singh, Kuldeep Sen, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Tejas Baroka, Kuldip Yadav, Shubham Garhwal, James Neesham, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Rassie van der Dussen, Daryl Mitchell, Corbin Bosch.

Rajasthan were outwitted in the Qualifier one after their bowlers endured a forgettable outing at the Eden Gardens. Prasidh Krishna paid the price for bowling length balls to David Miller in the final over. The South African hammered three consecutive sixes to seal the finals berth for the IPL newbies.

Rajasthan lost their Qualifier 1 match against the debutants Gujarat Titans. But Samson's men have been presented with another chance, thanks to their top-2 finish in league standings. The spotlight will on captain Samson and Jos Buttler, who has had a subdued season after the initial spark in the first half.

While Bangalore are yet to win their first IPL trophy, Rajasthan haven't replicated their success ever since lifting the trophy in the inaugural season in 2008. The stadium will be packed to its capacity for witnessing two strong sides fight for the final berth.