Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have clinched their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs after a sensational 27-run win against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tension-filled match came down to the wire, with CSK needing 17 runs off the last over to ensure their place in the playoffs.
Yash Dayal took over the final over for RCB and began with a full toss, presenting MS Dhoni with an opportunity to smash the ball over fine-leg for a gigantic 110m six. However, fortunes shifted with the subsequent deliveries. Dhoni attempted to recreate his big hit on a slower second ball but could only watch as the ball soared into the hands of a deep fielder. Shardul Thakur, new to the crease, missed the third delivery before nicking a smart single to short third man off the fourth ball. This left Ravindra Jadeja with the tall order of scoring 10 runs off the final two balls. Dayal maintained his composure and delivered two brilliant slower balls, successfully dousing CSK’s hopes and propelling RCB into the playoffs. This encounter between two fierce rivals had all the makings of a classic, especially given their playoff fates hung by a thread.
In what was essentially a knockout match, CSK won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting a clear equation: RCB would need not only to set a competitive total but also to secure a victory margin of at least 18 runs. The Chinnaswamy Stadium has a reputation for high-scoring matches, and today was no exception. However, a spell during RCB’s innings suggested that reaching 200 might present a challenge.
The match commenced with Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis delivering aggressive performances in the opening overs. A standout moment featured Kohli’s authoritative flick off Tushar Deshpande, resulting in a six over mid-wicket. By the end of three overs, RCB were comfortably placed at 31 for three when an unexpected rain interruption temporarily halted proceedings. Fortunately for cricket enthusiasts, the rain was brief, and play resumed without any loss of overs.
Upon resumption, batting conditions appeared more challenging. Sensing an opportunity, CSK introduced their spinners, who found purchase with the ball gripping and turning. RCB managed a meager six runs in the next two overs post-resumption, with several deliveries missing the bat. Du Plessis momentarily relieved the pressure by hitting a boundary off Mahesh Theekshana. Kohli, too, reignited the innings, smashing Jadeja over mid-wicket for a six in the ninth over, followed by another massive hit off Mitchell Santner in the 10th over. However, an attempt to maximize off Santner’s next ball resulted in Kohli being caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell, who astutely kept the ball in play.
Du Plessis then became the aggressor, powering his way to a half-century with a flurry of sixes and a four off Jadeja. Rajat Patidar, one of RCB’s in-form batters, joined the assault with a six off Theekshana early in his innings. Nevertheless, du Plessis’ promising knock ended at 54, following an unfortunate run-out when a drive by Patidar ricocheted off Santner’s hand and onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
. At 113 for three after 13 overs, RCB needed a brisk finish in the slog overs.
The game took a decisive turn with a formidable partnership between Patidar and Cameron Green, adding a swift 71 runs off just 28 balls, showcasing aggressive batting. In the final seven overs, only one over yielded less than 13 runs, underscoring the impact of their partnership. Patidar contributed a vital 41 off 23 balls, while Green remained unbeaten on 38 off 17 balls. Brief but explosive cameo performances from Dinesh Karthik (14 off six balls) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off five balls) helped RCB surpass the 200-run mark, posting a total of 218, setting a target of 201 for CSK to secure their qualification.
CSK’s chase began dramatically, with Ruturaj Gaikwad caught at short fine-leg off the first ball by Yash Dayal. Glenn Maxwell, brought in to bowl early overs, added pressure by taking the key wickets of Daryl Mitchell and preventing CSK from gaining momentum. At 19 for two, CSK found themselves in dire straits.
Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane offered a semblance of stability, constructing a 66-run partnership off 41 balls, balancing caution with calculated aggression. Both batters found boundaries consistently, preventing the required run rate from escalating excessively. Their partnership orchestrated a recovery, reaching 85 for two after nine overs. However, the introduction of Lockie Ferguson disrupted CSK’s progress, with Rahane departing for 33.
This triggered a window of opportunity for RCB, and they capitalized by restricting boundaries in the following overs. In the 12th over, a brief spell of relief for CSK saw Ravindra hit a four and two sixes, reaching his half-century.
Drama ensued in the subsequent overs. In the 13th, Shivam Dube was dropped by Mohammad Siraj at long-on, but RCB soon rallied, with Ravindra run-out in a mix-up with Dube for 61. Dube then fell in the next over, hitting Ferguson to long-on. The pressure on CSK heightened as Santner attempted to go over mid-off, only for du Plessis to take a spectacular one-handed catch.
With CSK needing 71 off the final five overs, MS Dhoni joined Jadeja at the crease, bringing hopes for an iconic finish. A strategic timeout left CSK needing 63 runs off four overs. Jadeja signaled his intent by hitting the first ball for a six down the ground. Consecutive overs saw CSK making progress, with Jadeja leading the charge, hitting Siraj for a six and a four.
The penultimate over by Ferguson began with a beamer, followed by Jadeja and Dhoni each scoring a four. Jadeja capped the over with a six over mid-wicket, setting up a thrilling finale. Ultimately, RCB’s bowlers held their nerve, ensuring a memorable victory that booked their place in the playoffs.