In a breathtaking clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dramatically clinched their spot in the playoffs for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 by edging out the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs. A nail-biting finish characterized the match, where everything hinged on CSK needing 17 runs in the last over to ensure their playoff berth.
Yash Dayal was handed the crucial task of bowling the final over against the legendary MS Dhoni. The tension in the stadium was palpable as Dayal’s first delivery, a full toss, saw Dhoni swing it with might over fine-leg for a towering 110-meter six. The next ball was a slower pitch, and though Dhoni aimed for a repeat, it only resulted in a high catch to the fielder in the deep. Shardul Thakur, at the crease next, missed the third delivery but managed a cheeky single off an outside edge on the fourth. With 10 runs needed off the final two balls, the onus was on Ravindra Jadeja to replicate his last-over heroics from the 2023 final. Dayal, however, retained his composure to bowl two impeccable slower deliveries, securing RCB’s playoff qualification and leaving CSK just short.
The day’s match was not only a battle of scores but a fight for survival, with both teams’ fates hanging by a thread. CSK chose to bowl first after winning the toss, setting a target for RCB to both score and defend. Historically, the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch has been generous to batsmen, and today it lived up to its billing, despite a phase where RCB seemed to be struggling.
RCB got off to a flying start with openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis launching an aggressive attack. Notable was Kohli’s splendid mid-wicket flick off Tushar Deshpande for a six. However, a rain interruption halted play temporarily, with RCB at 31 for no loss after three overs. Thankfully, the interruption was brief, and play resumed without any overs lost.
Post-rain, batting became more challenging as CSK introduced their spinners, with the ball showing substantial grip and turn. RCB struggled initially, managing just six runs in two overs after resumption. The shackles broke when du Plessis hit Mahesh Theekshana down the ground in the final powerplay over. Kohli followed suit, hitting Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner for consecutive sixes over mid-wicket.
Kohli’s dismissal came when he lofted one to long-on, where Daryl Mitchell showcased his fielding skills to keep the ball in play. Following this, du Plessis continued to assert dominance, notably scoring consecutive sixes and a four off Jadeja to reach his half-century. Rajat Patidar, another key player for RCB, joined the act with an early six off Theekshana.
. Unfortunately, du Plessis was run out for 54 in an unlucky sequence involving Santner’s deflected touch onto the stumps.
At a precarious 113 for three in 13 overs, RCB’s innings needed a boost, and it came through Patidar and Cameron Green. The duo put on a scintillating display, adding 71 runs off just 28 balls, turning the tide in RCB’s favor. With Patidar scoring 41 off 23 balls and Green remaining unbeaten on 38 from just 17, RCB surged past 200. Contributions from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell towards the end pushed the final total to an imposing 218, leaving CSK needing 201 to keep their playoff hopes alive.
CSK’s chase started on a heartbreaking note with opener Ruturaj Gaikwad falling on the first ball, caught by Dayal at short fine-leg. Glenn Maxwell, who had caused problems for CSK during RCB’s innings, bowled the first over of CSK’s innings, underscoring RCB’s desire to break through early. By the end of the third over, CSK was reeling at 19 for two after losing Mitchell who edged one to mid-off.
A partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane seemed to stabilize the innings. Their partnership mixed caution with aggression, adding a crucial 66 off 41 balls and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Regular boundaries ensured that the required run rate did not soar out of reach. The partnership remained solid until Rahane fell for 33, caught by du Plessis off Ferguson’s first ball.
RCB seized the opportunity and added pressure in the following overs, restricting boundaries. Ravindra momentarily revived hopes with his quickfire half-century, hitting a four and two sixes in the 12th over. But the drama escalated again when a miscommunication led to Ravindra’s run out for 61. Shivam Dube, despite being dropped earlier, couldn’t capitalize and was out in the next over, while Santner fell to a spectacular one-handed catch by du Plessis.
With CSK needing 71 runs from the last five overs, MS Dhoni joined Jadeja at the crease. Jadeja’s immediate boundary after the time-out signaled a renewed push from CSK. Consecutive overs yielded 13 and 15 runs respectively, mostly due to Jadeja’s aggressive hitting. As Ferguson bowled the penultimate over, a beamer started chaos, but Jadeja’s boundary and six off the last ball left CSK needing 17 from the final over.
Despite Dhoni’s early six, Dayal’s skillful last deliveries meant CSK fell 10 runs short, sealing a dramatic qualification for RCB into the playoffs in one of the most thrilling matches of the season. This win underscored not only RCB’s resilience but also the exhilarating uncertainty that IPL cricket brings to fans worldwide.