In a nail-biting encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their place in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a dramatic 27-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The tense showdown carried significant stakes for both teams, with CSK needing 17 runs in the final over to secure their own playoff berth.
Yash Dayal took charge for RCB in the crucial last over. He began with a full toss, promptly dispatched over fine-leg by MS Dhoni for a monumental 110-meter six. The stadium erupted, but Dayal was undeterred. Adjusting his delivery to a slower ball next, he induced Dhoni into a mistimed shot that was calmly caught in the deep, providing a crucial breakthrough for RCB.
As the tension mounted, Shardul Thakur missed the subsequent short, slow delivery but managed to sneak a single off an outside edge to third-man. With only two balls to go, Ravindra Jadeja needed to replicate his heroic performance from the previous season’s final—requiring 10 runs. However, Dayal’s composed bowling, featuring two deceptive slower balls, thwarted CSK’s chase, ensuring a playoff spot for RCB.
This highly anticipated faceoff between two IPL heavyweights unfolded with immense drama. CSK opted to bowl first after winning the toss, crafting a must-win scenario where they needed to restrict RCB to at least 18 runs short of their eventual score. Traditionally a high-scoring venue, the Chinnaswamy Stadium did not disappoint, albeit with some challenging phases during RCB’s innings.
The match began with an aggressive starting stand from Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, setting the tone by targeting CSK’s bowlers. A standout moment saw Kohli execute a remarkable flick against Tushar Deshpande over mid-wicket for six. With RCB at 31 for three after just three overs, rain intervened, pausing play momentarily. Fortunately, the inclement weather quickly passed, allowing the game to continue uninterrupted.
Post-resumption, CSK’s spinners altered the complexion of the game with subtle grip and turn. RCB struggled initially, managing just six runs over two overs. Du Plessis eventually broke free with a powerful drive during the powerplay’s final over.
. Kohli followed suit, targeting the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner with continued aggression, registering a six over mid-wicket in the ninth over. Despite Kohli’s wicket falling to Daryl Mitchell’s superbly timed boundary effort, he had already set a strong platform for his team.
Du Plessis exhibited finesse, hammering two sixes and a four off Jadeja to secure his half-century. Rajat Patidar joined the fray, propelling RCB’s charge in the middle overs with a six early in his innings against Theekshana. However, du Plessis’ innings concluded at 54 after an unfortunate ricochet from Patidar’s drive deflected off Santner’s hand to hit the stumps, creating an opportunity for CSK.
RCB’s innings was revitalized with a crucial partnership between Patidar and Cameron Green. The duo added a formidable 71 runs in just 28 balls, with their aggressive approach transforming the match’s momentum. Patidar contributed 41 off 23 balls, while Green remained unbeaten with a quick-fire 38 off 17 balls. Finishing touches were applied through concise cameos from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell, helping RCB breach the 200-run mark, posting a commanding 218 on the board.
CSK’s chase commenced dramatically as Ruturaj Gaikwad found himself caught at short fine-leg off Yash Dayal’s bowling from the very first ball. The strategic decision to open with Glenn Maxwell yielded immediate results for RCB. The early overs saw CSK struggle, losing Mitchell to an edge in the third over, leaving them at a precarious 19 for two.
However, determined efforts from Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane began mending CSK’s innings, playing with calculated aggression. Their partnership amassed 66 runs off 41 balls, maintaining a respectable run rate. Rahane’s dismissal by du Plessis on Ferguson’s first delivery provided RCB the opening they sought, stalling CSK’s momentum.
The real drama unfolded as CSK, requiring 71 from the last five overs, called upon Dhoni to assist Jadeja. After surviving some nervy moments and capitalizing on boundaries off Ferguson and Siraj, CSK mounted a valiant effort. Yet, it was Dayal’s exceptional final over that sealed the match in RCB’s favor, denying CSK and securing RCB’s playoff qualification.