IPL 2024: 'RCB will walk all over RR' - Sunil Gavaskar's BOLD claim ahead of Eliminator

After Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) demolished Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024 on Tuesday (May 21), the two-time winners became the first side to enter this year's final. On Wednesday (May 22), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator.Ahead of the do-or-die clash, former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar gave his bold verdict that RCB will run past RR.

RR, under Sanju Samson, had a fabulous start to the season, winning eight of their first nine games. However, they lost four on the trot and their last league fixture got abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain. On the other hand, RCB were at the bottom at the halfway stage but won six straight games to enter the playoffs. Thus, Gavaskar has backed in-form RCB to go past RR at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad; the same venue which hosted Qualifier 1.

'I will be surprised if RCBdoes not walk all over RR'

On Star Sports, Gavaskar said, "Rajasthan they have lost four-five matches. They have not played their last game as well. They have been out of practice. Unless they do something special that KKR did today, despite not playing for 11 days, it could well turn out be another one-sided game tomorrow. My fear is it will be another one sided game tomorrow, where the RCB will walk all over RR. I will be surprised if that does not happen."

He further lauded Faf du Plessis-led RCB for an inspiring turnaround. The Bengaluru unit rode on Faf, Kohli and Rajat Patidar's consistency at the top, played fearless cricket and improved their bowling (courtesy of a more settled line-up) to enter the playoffs.

Thus, Gavaskar added, "What RCB has done is nothing short of phenomenal. Firstly, to believe that they can bounce back. That requires something special. You have to say that their leading players Faf du Plessis, Virat KOhli, their senior players, they are the guys who are most encouraging the other players. Other team members can quickly get into a situation like , 'Oh we have lost everything'. Both of them have played extraordinary cricket."

The pressure will be on one-time winners RR as they should not have reached a stage where they are playing the Eliminator, after topping the league stage for majority of period. Thus, the Sanju Samson-led side have their task cut-out to stop a rampant and fearless RCB in Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening.

The winner will play SRH in Qualifier 2, in Chennai on Friday (May 24). Qualifier 2 winner will meet KKR in the IPL 2024 final on Sunday (May 26) in Chennai.