Ahmedabad: Virat Kohli suffered more heartbreak on Wednesday as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) were knocked out of the IPL after a four-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Ahmedabad.
RR restricted RCB to 172/8, a total they overhauled with six balls to spare in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
RCB and Kohli extend their wait for a first IPL title. RR will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday in Chennai to set up a title clash with Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.
Trent Boult, with figures of 1/16, and Ravichandran Ashwin, 2/19, played pivotal roles in a disciplined bowling attack for RR, who elected to field.
RR stuttered in their chase after Yashasvi Jaiswal, caught behind of Cameron Green on 45, and skipper Sanju Samson, stumped for 17, departed in the space of five deliveries.
Riyan Parag, who hit 36, and Shimron Hetmyer, who smashed 26, put on 45 to get their chase back on track before Rovman Powell steered the team home with a six in his unbeaten 16.
RR, who won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 under late Australian legend Shane Warne, bounced back from four losses in five matches including a washout.
RCB's dream run ended after they rose from the bottom of the table with a six wins in a row to make the playoffs.
Earlier, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis departed early on 17 after Powell took a stunning forward diving catch running from deep mid-wicket of left-arm quick Boult.
Kohli attempted to set the pace in his 24-ball 33 but fell to Yuzvendra Chahal's leg-spin, much to the disappointment of the crowd.
Kohli consolidated his position as the season's leading batsman with 741 runs including a century and five fifties in 15 matches.
The RR bowlers kept a check on the scoring and took regular wickets including two of successive balls when of-spinner Ashwin sent back Green, for 27, and Glenn Maxwell, for a duck.
