The Royal Challengers Bangalore beat the Lucknow Super Giants by 14 runs in the IPL eliminator.

Bangalore will take on the Rajasthan Royals in Friday’s second qualifier to determine who will meet the Gujarat Titans – who beat Rajasthan by seven wickets in the first qualifier – in the IPL final on Sunday.

Bangalore captain Faf du Plessis was dismissed for a first-ball duck on Wednesday, while Lucknow opener Quinton de Kock made just six off five balls.

Rajat Patidar was the unlikely hero for Bangalore as he hammered a magnificent 112* off 54 deliveries.

“The wicket was pretty good and I played some good shots,” said Patidar. “I never feel any pressure as I think I have the ability to make up for the dots.”

Bangalore had lost at this stage in each of the past two seasons and are still to lift the IPL trophy, having also finished runners-up three times.

The 28-year-old Patidar struck 12 fours and seven sixes to lead Bangalore to a total of 207-4.

Lucknow skipper KL Rahul made 79 but was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood in the penultimate over, with 28 still needed, as they finished on 193-6.

Bangalore made a poor start batting first, losing Du Plessis for a duck, before former captain Virat Kohli fell for a scratchy 24-ball 25.

But Patidar took the attack to the Bangalore bowlers and brought up his first T20 century, from just 49 balls, with a six. In-form wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik provided him with crucial support, making a brisk 37* as the pair put on 92 in only 6.5 overs.

Lucknow lost De Kock in the first over of their reply, caught at mid-on by Du Plessis off Mohammed Siraj for six. Manan Vohra came and went for 19 off 11 deliveries.

But Rahul and Deepak Hooda eased through the gears in compiling a 96-run third-wicket partnership. Hooda hit four sixes and one four in his 45 before he was clean bowled by Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

Lucknow needed 41 runs from the final three overs, with Rahul still at the crease. But Australian Hazlewood took wickets with successive deliveries in the 19th over to all but seal victory for Bangalore.

Rahul tried to scoop Hazlewood but was taken brilliantly by Shahbaz Ahmed at short fine leg, quickly followed by Krunal Pandya, who was caught and bowled.

Dushmantha Chameera hit a massive six off Harshal Patel’s third delivery in the final over but Lucknow came up short.

Hazlewood ended with figures of 3-43.

© Agence France-Presse