Rajasthan Royals IPL 2018
Rajasthan Royals beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 30 runs in Jaipur. Image Courtesy: BCCI

The Indian Premier League (IPL) reached a riveting stage where, as many as five teams were in contention for the two available spots in the playoffs.

Also, the Royal Derby at Jaipur treated us with a thrilling contest where hosts Rajasthan Royals ended up on the winning side, knocking out RCB with a thumping 30-run win.

Here’s a look at the game-changing moments.

Rahul Tripathi’s anchoring knock

Rajasthan Royals
Rahul Tripathi registered yet another half-century in his IPL career. Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for BCCI

With Jos Buttler flying back to London, Rahul Tripathi ensured his absence didn’t fell at the top of the order. Together with captain Rahane, Tripathi laid a solid foundation with the 99-run partnership.

Also, he remained unbeaten at 80 which came off just 58 balls, where he smashed five boundaries and three sixes. The gutsy opener was responsible for Rajasthan reaching a total of 164.

Umesh Yadav’s double blow

Rajasthan Royals, RCB
Umesh Yadav struck twice in the 14th over to derail RR’s proceedings. Photo by: Rahul Gulati /SPORTZPICS for BCCI

Making a habit this season, Umesh Yadav jolted proceedings of Rajasthan with a couple of successive blows which took captain Ajinkya Rahane and the dangerous Samson out of the equation.

Much like the previous matches, Umesh put the brakes on the hosts’ acceleration, with his raw pace and attacking line and lengths.

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Klaasen Gowtham finishing flurry

IPL 2018: Match 53, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - Five Game-Changing Moments
Heinrich Klaasen of RR plays a shot. Photo by: Rahul Gulati /SPORTZPICS for BCCI.

RCB’s death bowling displayed tremendous improvement during the latter half of the season, after receiving a pounding in the first half.

Again, the likes of Tim Southee and Mohammad Siraj were threatening to choke Rajasthan Royals at the backend of the innings.

However, Heinrich Klaasen and Krishnappa Gowtham provided the impetus for the backend, to support Tripathi who was struggling on a hot day.

Incredibly, Klaasen smashed three boundaries and a six during his 32, while Gowtham smashed two consecutive maximums in final over to take their total to a winning score.

Shreyas Gopal’s spell

IPL 2018: Match 53, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - Five Game-Changing Moments
Shreyas Gopal of the Rajasthan Royals celebrates after taking the wicket of Moeen Ali. Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for BCCI.

Rookie Shreyas Gopal, who turned the match around in the reverse fixture, continued to assert his dominance over Royal Challengers Bangalore with his supreme spell of bowling.

But, Gopal hit the final nails in the RCB coffin with figures of 4/16, clinching the major wickets of de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Parthiv and de Grandhomme.

RCB’s mindless batting

IPL 2018: Match 53, Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - Five Game-Changing Moments
Mandeep Singh of the Royal Challengers Bangalore stumped by Heinrich Klaasen of the Rajasthan Royals. Photo by: Deepak Malik /SPORTZPICS for BCCI.

Royal Challengers Bangalore had to chase down the required total within 16 overs, to maximise their chances of qualifying for the playoffs, by superior run-rate over Mumbai Indians.

Interestingly, while Parthiv (33) and AB de Villiers (53) were batting in the middle, RCB looked well in the course of achieving the required wicket.

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However, with the wickets conceded to Gopal, the red and blacks had the chance to revisit their ambitions, playing out the entire 20 overs to achieve the total.

But, some mindless batting caused RCB to keep losing wickets, hurting their chances to pick up a couple of must-win two points.