RR vs RCB: IPL 2024 Eliminator to be cancelled? Security threat to Virat Kohli forces RCB to cancel practice session

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have cancelled their practice session at the Gujarat college ground in Ahmedabad ahead of their Eliminator clash against Rajasthan. 

The Gujarat college ground was made available due to the Narendra Modi stadium hosting the 1st Qualifier match between KKR and SRH. While RCB decided against practicing at the venue due to security concerns, the Rajasthan Royals went ahead with their only net session before tonight's high-voltage clash. 

Internal sources reveal Virat Kohli's safety threat was the main reason why RCB's training got cancelled 

There was no press conference on the eve of the Eliminator match, which is quite uncanny to happen. Usually a day before the play-offs matchday, conferences are a norm in the very stadium which hosts the game. However, due to the security concerns, it was eventually cancelled.  

But the main reason behind RCB not appearing in the training session was due to the safety threats looming over the head of Virat Kohli. According to several reports, the Gujarat Police arrested 4 suspects on Monday night who were possibly planning a terror attack, unknown whether on the player or the IPL play-offs matches in Ahmedabad. 

The Police team apparently found out revolvers, magazines, suspicious videos as well as questionable text messages following their search on the place where the 4 men were residing. Upon coming across the safety threat of Virat Kohli, the Bengaluru-based franchise quickly cancelled their practice session. 

Security was then posed tightly in front of the RCB team hotel with players entering the premises from a different gateway where normal people were not allowed. Moreover, media personnel were also asked to stay away from the area. While RCB skipped their training, Rajasthan Royals, except Ashwin, Parag and Chahal, attended the session. 

And even during Rajasthan's training session, the ground was looked after closely by armed police officers. 

Vijay Singh Jwala, a local police officer updated on the situation, revealing that Virat Kohli found out about the same after he landed in Ahmedabad. Since Kohli is a national treasure, his security is Gujarat Police's top priority. Jwala also revealed that Rajasthan Royals were alright with practicing at the College ground but RCB didn't want to take any chances. 

"Virat Kohli learned about the arrests after arriving in Ahmedabad. He is a national treasure, and his security is our utmost priority. RCB did not want to take a risk. They informed us that there would be no practice session. Rajasthan Royals were also informed about the development, but they had no problems going ahead with their practice." - Vijay Singh Jwala told press reporters.  

RCB expected to come out on top against Rajasthan

Meanwhile the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, given their form, are expected to step over the Rajasthan Royals in their Eliminator match later tonight. While RCB are high on form, Rajasthan experienced an abrupt dip in their form in the second half of the season. Who will come out on top? Time will tell.