Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cemented their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a gripping 27-run triumph over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The game reached a crescendo in the final over with CSK needing 17 runs to advance to the playoffs. Yash Dayal, under immense pressure, bowled a full toss on the first ball, which MS Dhoni launched over fine leg for a colossal 110m six. The second delivery was slower and pitched, leading Dhoni to attempt a heave over square leg, but he only managed height, resulting in a simple catch for the fielder in the deep.
Shardul Thakur then faced Dayal and missed a short and slow delivery. He managed an outside edge for a single to short third man, leaving Ravindra Jadeja with the challenging task of scoring 10 runs off the last two balls to replicate his heroics from the 2023 final. Dayal, maintaining his composure, bowled two superb slower deliveries, denying both CSK and Jadeja a chance at qualification and propelling RCB into the playoffs. The intensity and excitement of the match underscored the fierce rivalry between these two sides, making it a fitting spectacle as their playoff fates hung precariously in the balance.
In this virtual knockout, CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first, setting the condition that RCB needed to win by a margin of 18 runs irrespective of their total. Known for its high-scoring games, the Chinnaswamy Stadium did not disappoint. However, there was a period during RCB’s innings when it seemed accumulating 200 runs might be an arduous task.
Opening the innings, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis attacked early, taking the game to CSK’s bowlers. One memorable shot saw Kohli charging Tushar Deshpande and flicking a delivery over mid-wicket for a towering six. As rain interrupted the play after three overs, RCB stood at 31 for no loss. Fortunately, it was a brief shower, and play resumed without the loss of any overs.
Post-resumption, batting conditions appeared difficult. CSK deployed their spinners, who capitalized on the ball gripping and turning. RCB could muster only six runs in two overs after the restart, as the turning ball beat the batters several times. Du Plessis broke the lull, hitting Mahesh Theekshana down the ground in the final powerplay over. Kohli found his rhythm soon after, smashing Ravindra Jadeja over mid-wicket for a six in the ninth over, and repeated the feat against Mitchell Santner in the tenth. However, Kohli’s stint ended when Daryl Mitchell caught him at long-on off Santner’s bowling, showing sharp awareness to keep the ball in play.
Du Plessis took the charge, hammering two sixes and a four off Jadeja to reach his half-century. Rajat Patidar, continuing his impressive form, hit a six off Theekshana early in his innings, but du Plessis departed for 54 under unfortunate circumstances. Patidar’s straight drive off Santner brushed the bowler’s hand and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end, finding du Plessis short of his ground. RCB stood at 113 for three after 13 overs, needing a powerful finish to cross the 200-run mark.
The partnership between Patidar and Cameron Green, amassing 71 runs off 28 balls, provided the necessary impetus.
. In the final seven overs, only one over yielded less than 13 runs, showcasing the partnership’s explosive impact. Patidar scored 41 off 23 balls, while Green remained unbeaten with 38 off 17 balls. Quickfire contributions from Dinesh Karthik (14 off six balls) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off five balls) pushed RCB’s total to a formidable 218, setting a 201-run target for CSK to qualify.
CSK’s chase began dramatically with Ruturaj Gaikwad being caught at short fine-leg off the first ball by Yash Dayal. Glenn Maxwell was tasked to bowl the opening over, replicating an unconventional strategy RCB employed effectively during their innings. The initial overs posed difficulties for the batters. CSK’s second wicket fell in the third over, as Dayal enticed an edge from Daryl Mitchell to mid-off, leaving CSK in trouble at 19 for two.
Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane sought to stabilize the innings, forming a crucial partnership combining caution with aggression, amassing 66 runs off 41 balls. Their cohesive approach kept the required run rate manageable. By the time they reached 85 for two in nine overs, RCB introduced Lockie Ferguson into the attack. Rahane, aiming for a big shot, perished off Ferguson’s first ball, caught high by du Plessis for 33.
Sensing an opportunity, RCB applied pressure by restricting boundaries in the following overs. Ravindra relieved some pressure in the 12th over with aggressive shots, reaching his half-century. The intensity escalated as the innings progressed. Shivam Dube was dropped by Mohammad Siraj at long-on in the 13th over, but RCB didn’t face lasting damage as a mix-up led to Ravindra’s run-out for 61 shortly after. Dube’s struggle ended in the subsequent over, hitting Ferguson straight to long-on. Mitchell Santner succumbed next, attempting a loft over mid-off, but du Plessis took a spectacular one-handed catch overhead in the 15th over.
With CSK needing 71 runs off the last five overs, MS Dhoni entered to join Jadeja. During the time-out, CSK needed 63 runs off the final four overs. Jadeja signaled his intent with a six off the first ball post time-out. Consistent with their requirement, CSK accumulated 13 and 15 runs in successive overs. Jadeja predominantly took charge, launching attacks against Siraj with a six and a four.
The equation stood at CSK needing 35 off the last two overs. Ferguson began the penultimate over with a wayward beamer. Jadeja and Dhoni each struck fours, with Jadeja capping the over with a massive six over mid-wicket, setting up a tense climax. However, Yash Dayal’s composed final over ensured RCB’s crucial victory and playoff berth.