Rajasthan Royals registered a 4-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the eliminator of the Indian Premier League 2024 on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to advance to the second playoff fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad slated to take place in Chennai on Friday.
RR limited RCB to 172 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs before chasing down the target successfully with an over to spare as Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 45 runs before Rovman Powell carried the side over the line.
Ashwin, who scalped two back-to-back wickets in the first innings was presented with the man of the match award and he shed light on the importance of the win beyond the progress.
“We haven’t done very well in the last few games. We didn’t put par scores and we lost (Jos) Buttler, and (Shimron) Hetmyer was injured. Today’s win was important,” he began.
“We were a bit rusty chasing it, but this win will give us some confidence,” he continued.
He also spoke about his own performance arc in the tournament and how he has had to shake off rusty and follow through on his commitments to the RR franchise.
“In the first half, I felt my body wasn’t moving too well for the first half of the season. I had an abdomen injury and I am ageing as well,” Ashwin said.
“To come into the tournament from Test cricket was difficult, I needed some time to get that bowling rhythm. But once you have committed to your franchise, you want to go through with the season,” he asserted.
He touched up on the contributions of lead pacer Trent Boult and the quality of the chase in the latter part of the game.
“I think we hit the right lengths, the way Boult was bowling, he got a bit of swing and seam movement. In the second innings, I don’t think there was a lot of dew. I think there were some exceptional shots from our boys to get that chase,” he added.
He concluded by stating that the mix of young talent and experience makes the side special.
“I think our greatest strength is the exuberance of youth and the experience we have got to support that. Now that Hettie is back in, and Rovman got a few boundaries today as well. We’ve got Keshav sitting outside. We have the right momentum for this team going forward,” he signed off.
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