Rajasthan Royals' bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was adjudged the Man of the Match for his scintillating performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in a knock-out game at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Ravichandran Ashwin

The veteran off-spinner used all his experience to better effect and contained runs, more often than not in his allotted quota of 4 overs. The Tamil Nadu-born conceded only 19 runs and maintained an economy of 4.80 in a crucial match. 

RCB managed to post 172/8 in 20 overs in the Eliminator. In response, the Royals chased down the target in 19 overs and won the game by 4 overs. Although RCB gave it all in the contest, Sanju Samson and Co. had the last laugh in the battle. 

Ravi Ashwin had plenty of things to say at the post-match presentation, after receiving the Man of the Match award. He said, "Today's win was important. We were a bit rusty chasing it, but this win will give us some confidence. In the first half, I felt my body wasn't moving too well for the first half of the season. I had an abdomen injury as well."

Furthermore, he stated, "I am aging as well. To come into the tournament from Test cricket was difficult, I needed some time to get that bowling rhytmn. But once you have committed to your franchise, you want to go through with the season. I think we hit the right lengths, the way Boult was bowling, he got a bit of swing and seam movement. In the second innings, I don't think there was a lot of dew."

"I think there were some exceptional shots from our boys to get that chase. I think our greatest strength is the exuberance of youth and the experience we have got to support that. Now that Hettie is back in, and Rovman got a few boundaries today as well. We've got Keshav sitting outside. We have the right momentum for this team going forward," Ashwin said after the match.

RR will lock horns with SRH in the Qualifier 2 match at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The highly-anticipated game will get underway on May 24, Friday at 7:30 PM (IST).

Here's how the fans reacted after Ravi Ashwin collected the award