The Eliminator match of the Indian T20 League 2024 will feature a thrilling game between Rajasthan and Bangalore on May 22nd, Wednesday, at the N. Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The winner of this match will face Hyderabad in Qualifier 2, as Hyderabad was beaten by Kolkata on Tuesday by 8 wickets.

As May began, Rajasthan had a tough time. They lost four games in a row, which made them drop to the third position in the standings. Most of their players, except for S. Samson and R. Parag, have not been able to score well during these games. However, earlier in the season, Rajasthan managed to beat Bangalore thanks to a great century from Jos Buttler in Jaipur.

In contrast, Bangalore has been doing very well. They have won 6 back to back games and made it to the playoffs. The match between Rajasthan and Bangalore is expected to be very exciting. In this article, we will talk about their head-to-head records, detailed pitch stats, recent forms, predicted playing XI, and who is more likely to win.

Recent Forms of Rajasthan vs Bangalore

Rajasthan’s Journey

Rajasthan was on track to finish at the top of the league before they hit a rough patch. They lost four matches in a row, and their last game against Kolkata got washed out. This led S. Samson’s team to end up third, just behind Hyderabad.

Rajasthan has felt the absence of J. Buttler, who was a key player in their batting lineup. Now, much depends on Y. Jaiswal, S. Samson, and R. Parag to get the team back on track. S. Samson and R. Parag are crucial for Rajasthan’s performance, and T. Kohler-Cadmore will join Jaiswal as the openers, though they seem to be struggling with form and experience. S. Hetmyer is expected to be back for the next game, which should strengthen Rajasthan’s batting in the lower order, an area that hasn’t contributed much this season.

Bangalore’s Comeback

Meanwhile, Bangalore made a stunning comeback when it seemed like they might not make it to the playoffs. They had lost seven of their first eight games. Under F. du Plessis’s leadership, they won crucial matches, including a big game against Chennai, which helped them secure a place in the playoffs.

Kohli has been exceptional for Bangalore, scoring the most runs this season with 708 runs from 14 games. He could be a key player in the upcoming match. F. du Plessis has also found his form, making a strong batting duo with Kohli at the top. R. Patidar has been reliable too, hitting five half-centuries this season. Bangalore hasn’t been affected much by the departure of England’s W. Jacks, and D. Karthik has been very effective, hitting fast runs towards the end of the games. In their most recent game, left-arm bowler Y. Dayal performed brilliantly in the final over against Chennai, securing Bangalore’s win and their spot in the playoffs.

Head to Head Records for Rajasthan vs Bangalore

Bangalore has a slight edge over Rajasthan in their overall encounters, with 15 wins out of 31 matches. However, the competition has been fairly balanced, especially in their recent meetings where Rajasthan has claimed three out of the last five games. The last time they met, Rajasthan successfully chased a target of 184 runs in Jaipur earlier this season. When it comes to playoff matches in the Indian T20 League, each team has one victory against the other across two games.

In terms of matches played at the N. Modi Stadium, they have faced each other twice, with both teams securing a win each.

The last five matches between Bangalore and Hyderabad

Overall Head-to-Head Record

Head-to-Head at N. Modi Stadium in the Indian T20 League:

Predicted Playing XI for Rajasthan and Bangalore

For the upcoming Eliminator match, both Rajasthan and Bangalore have their predicted playing XIs ready. Rajasthan’s lineup is expected to feature a mix of experienced players and young talent, led by S. Samson. 

Bangalore, on the other hand, will rely on their consistent performers like F. du Plessis and V. Kohli to take them forward. The table below categorizes the players into batsmen, all-rounders, and bowlers for both teams.

Pitch Report  for Rajasthan vs Bangalore Match

The pitch at the N. Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has generally favored the batsmen, allowing for high scores, though bowlers who stick to their plans can also find success. In the context of the Eliminator match between Rajasthan and Bangalore, both teams will aim for a total exceeding 200 to stay competitive. The pitch tends to assist spinners more as the match progresses. Historically, teams batting second have had a slight advantage at this venue. As we saw on Tuesday, Kolkata won the match by 8 wickets after chasing down 160 runs.

 Overall Statistics at N. Modi Stadium

Recent Indian T20 League Record at N. Modi Stadium (Last 10 Matches)

Indian T20 League 2024 Statistics

These statistics highlight that the N. Modi Stadium is generally a batting-friendly pitch, with the average first innings winning score around 195 runs in recent matches. Teams batting second have had more success, making the choice at the toss crucial.

Rajasthan vs Bangalore Eliminator: Who Will Win?

Rajasthan mostly relies on their two players, R. Parag and S. Samson. With S. Samson unable to score decent runs in the last three games, Rajasthan looks like a mid-table team after losing to Punjab, Delhi, and Lucknow in the last five games. Meanwhile, Bangalore’s batting is in fine form, with V. Kohli, R. Patidar, and F. du Plessis all scoring well. With G. Maxwell back in the team, they look dangerous. In the bowling unit, Y. Dayal is also impressive in recent games.

Overall, Bangalore looks like a more balanced team, with all players back in form and six consecutive wins. They seem more likely to eliminate Rajasthan from the Indian T20 League.

Disclaimer – Our suggestions do not guarantee that you will win any contest in fantasy cricket or any other competition. The suggestions and predictions are the personal opinions of the author.

Subham Saha