A night of high drama in Bengaluru sees a hat-trick, a washout, and Royal Challengers Bangaluru's early exit from IPL 2019
There's something poetic about Bengaluru and the rain. Sometimes, it brings relief. Other times, it writes tragedies in water. On the evening of April 30, 2019, the rain played the villain to the Royal Challengers Bangaluru as they entered a must-win clash against Rajasthan Royals with nothing short of survival on their minds.
But what unfolded was a chaotic five-over carnival of big hits, heartbreak, and a hat-trick that would leave RCB fans saying—"Only RCB things."
The clouds were brooding, but the mood in Chinnaswamy was electric. After a long delay due to persistent showers, the match was reduced to just 5 overs a side—a lottery if there ever was one.
Batting first, RCB captain Virat Kohli, aware of the do-or-die stakes, came out like a man on a mission. Facing Varun Aaron in the first over, Kohli turned back the clock and delivered a six-hitting masterclass, smashing 23 runs off that over. Inside-out, flicks, punches—you name it, he played it.
Credit: ESPN
The next over wasn't spared either. AB de Villiers joined the party, and RCB looked well on course for a 70-plus total. With the likes of Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer waiting in the dugout, it felt like a fireworks show had just begun.
But just when RCB fans began to believe, Shreyas Gopal spun a web in the second over that silenced the stadium.
It started with a six. Then a four. Gopal, undeterred, tossed it up again. Kohli went for another big one—and misread it. Caught. Next ball, AB de Villiers. The crowd held its breath. Gopal floated one just outside off. De Villiers went downtown. Gone. Straight into the hands of Livingstone at long-on.
Credit: ESPN
Marcus Stoinis faced a hat-trick ball as the crowd, once roaring, had fallen completely silent, signalling a dramatic shift in energy. Gopal bowled a quickish googly, and Stoinis was late to read it. Plumb in front with the umpire's finger raised—hat-trick!
Three of the biggest hitters in the world—gone in three balls. RCB's dream start had just been dismantled by a man with a calm face and a cool wrist.
Credit: ESPN
From 35/0, RCB collapsed to 62/7. Only 29 runs came from the final three overs. All the momentum had vanished like sunshine behind a rain cloud. Suddenly, the target seemed chasable—especially for a Rajasthan side with nothing to lose.
The Royals started their reply with purpose. Sanju Samson is elegant and aggressive, with threaded gaps and clear boundaries with ease. Liam Livingstone also brought his trademark flair. In just 3.2 overs, RR raced to 41/1.
Credit: ESPN
But the Bengaluru skies had one final twist to write. The rain returned—this time to stay. The game was abandoned, and both teams walked away with one point.
That point sealed RCB's fate. Their playoff hopes were drowned, quite literally. With just 9 points and only one game left, they became the first team officially knocked out of IPL 2019.
For Rajasthan, it was survival—barely. But for RCB, it was the same old story. A season full of moments of "what ifs" and "almosts" ended in disappointment.
And as fans trickled out under umbrellas, you could almost hear them say, "Only RCB things."
