In a pulsating encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured their spot in the playoffs of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with a captivating 27-run win over rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The game concluded in enthralling fashion, with CSK needing 17 runs in the final over to clinch their own playoff spot. The pressure mounted as Yash Dayal delivered a full toss on the first ball, which MS Dhoni sent soaring over fine-leg for a mammoth 110-meter six. However, the plan wavered for CSK as Dayal pitched the second ball slower, leading Dhoni to attempt another big hit over square-leg, only to find a fielder ready in the deep to claim the catch.
As the tension peaked, Shardul Thakur failed to connect on the following delivery, a short and slow ball, but managed an outside edge on the subsequent one to take a single to short third man. With the task now at 10 runs required off the last two balls, Ravindra Jadeja was left to replicate his heroics from the 2023 final. Yet, Dayal maintained his composure, delivering two exceptional slower balls to close out the game and propel RCB into the playoffs. For fans witnessing these two giants clash, it was a game befitting a spot in the playoffs was at stake.
CSK’s skipper won the toss earlier, opting to bowl in a match that was essentially a knockout, giving an 18-run margin to secure the necessary victory. The Chinnaswamy Stadium lived up to its reputation of yielding high scores. Early in RCB’s innings, as Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis took charge, the batting duo set the stage with an aggressive approach. Of particular note was Kohli’s astounding flick six over mid-wicket against Tushar Deshpande. However, a brief rain interruption with RCB at 31 for three in the third over threatened to change the conditions.
Upon resumption, the pitch offered more grip and turn, complicating batting efforts against CSK’s spin attack. The departure of the powerplay was marked by Kohli and du Plessis attempting to accelerate, with Kohli dispatching Ravi Jadeja for a towering six over mid-wicket. Their partnership saw du Plessis reach his half-century, though his efforts concluded with an unfortunate run-out, as a drive by Rajat Patidar deflected off Mitchell Santner’s hand onto the stumps.
. RCB stood at 113 for three in the 13th over.
It was Patidar and Cameron Green’s blistering assault that transformed the innings, amassing 71 runs from just 28 balls to power RCB past the 200-run mark. Their stellar performance saw the last seven overs producing a cascade of runs, with only one yielding less than 13. Patidar’s swashbuckling 41 off 23 balls, complemented by Green’s unbeaten 38 off 17, set the stage for a formidable total. Short, impactful appearances from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell brought RCB to a daunting total of 218, setting a target of 201 required for CSK’s qualification hopes.
CSK’s chase began on a rocky note, losing Ruturaj Gaikwad in the opening delivery, caught adeptly by Yash Dayal. As the powerplay unfolded, Glenn Maxwell’s introduction to the bowling attack quickly claimed the crucial wicket of Mitchell after a misjudged shot found its way to mid-off, leaving CSK at 19 for two. The rebuilding job fell upon Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane, who stitched a vital 66-run partnership off 41 balls combining strategic aggression with caution. Yet, the chase saw intermittent hurdles, as Rahane succumbed to a lofted catch bringing du Plessis into action at 85 for two.
With the introduction of Lockie Ferguson, CSK’s challenge intensified as RCB tightened the screws in ensuing overs by stalling boundary opportunities. Both tension and required pace escalated before Rachin showcased his skills with consecutive boundaries, reaching his half-century amidst mounting pressure. However, RCB capitalized on missed opportunities, as Dube’s innings came undone through a spectacular fielding display by du Plessis at mid-off. CSK had to confront their steepest mountain, needing 71 off the last five overs, as MS Dhoni arrived at the crease.
Ravindra Jadeja sparked hopes with a resounding six post-timeout, driving CSK’s comeback intentions forward amid a series of bold strokes that yielded 28 combined runs in subsequent overs. As the penultimate over approached, and CSK requiring 35, consequential missteps including a beamer by Ferguson marked a pivotal moment, despite Jadeja finding the fence twice. The dramatic ending amassed with Jadeja smashing a thrilling six over mid-wicket, yet fell short, epitomizing the heart-stopping nature of cricket and solidifying RCB’s playoff journey with a decisive victory over their arch-foes, CSK.