Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a gripping 27-run win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to secure their place in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. The nail-biting contest at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru came down to the final over, with CSK needing 17 runs to confirm their own playoff berth. The showdown saw Yash Dayal at the bowling crease facing the legendary MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja.
Dayal’s first delivery was a full toss, and Dhoni aggressively swung it over fine-leg for a colossal 110m six. However, the seasoned bowler adapted quickly. His next ball was a slower-paced pitch, which Dhoni tried to launch over square-leg, only to find a fielder in the deep who took a composed catch.
Shardul Thakur, following Dhoni, missed Dayal’s third ball, which was short and slow. Thakur managed an outside edge for a single on Dayal’s fourth ball, allowing Jadeja 10 runs to get off the last two balls, echoing his heroics from the 2023 final. But Dayal’s skillful, slower deliveries thwarted CSK’s chase, and RCB advanced to the playoffs in dramatic fashion.
The match encapsulated the fierce rivalry between RCB and CSK, with both teams’ playoff futures hanging in the balance. CSK opted to field first after winning the toss, setting RCB the task of posting a substantial score on a high-scoring Chinnaswamy pitch.
Opening the innings for RCB, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis attacked aggressively early on. Kohli’s standout shot came when he flicked a ball from Tushar Deshpande over mid-wicket for a six. By the third over, RCB had reached 31 for three when a rain interruption forced a short delay. Luckily for fans, the weather cleared quickly, and play resumed without any reduction in overs.
Post-resumption, conditions favored the bowlers, prompting CSK to introduce their spinners. The ball turned and gripped, challenging the batters. In the two overs immediately after the restart, RCB could only manage six runs. Du Plessis, however, broke the shackles with a boundary down the ground off Mahesh Theekshana. Kohli too found his rhythm, launching Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner for sixes over mid-wicket in successive overs.
Kohli’s aggressive play eventually led to his dismissal in the 10th over, where he was caught by Daryl Mitchell at long-on, showcasing excellent awareness to stay in play. Du Plessis continued his assault, reaching his half-century with a mix of boundaries. Rajat Patidar, another in-form batter for RCB, supported Du Plessis with a quick six off Theekshana. Du Plessis’ innings ended at 54 when a drive from Patidar deflected off Santner and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
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At 113 for three in 13 overs, RCB needed a late surge, and Patidar along with Cameron Green provided just that. Their scintillating partnership added 71 runs off just 28 balls, propelling RCB past the 200 mark. Patidar scored a rapid 41 off 23 balls, while Green remained unbeaten on 38 off 17 balls. Contributions from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell in the final overs lifted RCB to a formidable total of 218.
CSK’s reply started dramatically as Ruturaj Gaikwad fell on the first ball, caught by Yash Dayal. RCB struck again in the third over, leaving CSK at a precarious 19 for two. Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane then steadied the ship with a crucial 66-run partnership. Their careful yet aggressive approach maintained CSK’s required run rate within reach.
Lockie Ferguson’s introduction in the ninth over turned the tide when Rahane was dismissed for 33. The wicket gave RCB an opportunity to apply further pressure, and they did just that by restricting boundaries in subsequent overs. Ravindra momentarily relieved the pressure by hitting a four and two sixes in the 12th over, reaching his half-century.
The game took another turn as CSK faced setbacks. Shivam Dube was dropped by Mohammad Siraj, but Ravindra was run out shortly after in a mix-up with Dube. Dube’s battle ended when he was caught at long-on off Ferguson. The pressure intensified when Santner attempted a risky shot over mid-off, only for du Plessis to take a spectacular catch.
With 71 runs needed off the last five overs, Dhoni joined Jadeja at the crease. CSK required 63 off the final four overs after a strategic time-out. Jadeja showcased his intent by smacking the first ball post time-out for a six. Both batsmen pushed CSK’s score forward, accumulating 28 runs over the next two overs.
Ferguson returned for the penultimate over, and amid tense moments, Jadeja and Dhoni managed to pick some crucial boundaries. Jadeja ended the over with another six, reducing the target to 17 off the final over.
The stage was set for a thrilling finish, but Yash Dayal’s composed bowling secured RCB’s playoff spot. It was a fitting conclusion to an electrifying match that highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of the IPL.