In a high-octane clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a dramatic 27-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The match saw thrilling twists and turns right down to the final over, emblematic of the intense cricket rivalry between these two teams.
With CSK needing 17 runs in the last over to ensure their own qualification, the stage was set for a dramatic conclusion. Yash Dayal, entrusted with bowling the final over, delivered a full toss on the first ball which MS Dhoni dispatched over fine-leg for an enormous 110m six. However, Dayal came back strongly, bowling a slower delivery on the second ball which Dhoni tried to launch over square-leg, only to be caught in the deep.
Shardul Thakur was next at the crease, missing the following short and slow ball. He managed a single off a thick edge, leaving Ravindra Jadeja with the daunting task of scoring 10 runs off the last two balls. Dayal, displaying nerves of steel, delivered two excellent slower balls, effectively sealing the game and RCB’s playoff berth. As the dust settled, it was evident that this contest was a fitting end to the high-stakes match with both teams’ playoff aspirations hanging in the balance.
The game had begun with CSK winning the toss and opting to bowl, setting up the requirement of an 18-run margin for RCB to secure their playoff spot. The pitch at Chinnaswamy, known for its high-scoring nature, seemed ready for a run-fest.
RCB’s innings kicked off with a flurry of runs as Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis took the initial charge. A standout moment in the early overs was Kohli’s powerful flick off Tushar Deshpande, which sailed over mid-wicket for a six. However, just three overs in, RCB found themselves at 31 for three when a rain interruption caused a brief break in play. Luckily for the fans, the shower was short-lived and play resumed without any overs lost.
Conditions post-resumption turned challenging for batters, with CSK introducing their spinners who managed to make the ball grip and turn consistently. In the two overs following the break, RCB could only muster six runs, as CSK’s spinners began exerting control. Du Plessis broke the shackles with a powerful shot down the ground off Mahesh Theekshana, injecting some momentum into the innings. Kohli soon followed suit, hitting Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner for sixes over mid-wicket.
However, Kohli’s departure came in the 10th over when a misfired long-on shot was caught by Daryl Mitchell.
. Du Plessis then took over, hitting two sixes and a four to reach his half-century, before being run out in a mix-up with Rajat Patidar in the 13th over.
Needing a final flourish, RCB found their heroes in Patidar and Cameron Green, whose partnership injected fresh life into their innings. The duo accumulated 71 runs in just 28 balls. Green’s blitz included an unbeaten 38 off 17 balls, while Patidar scored 41 off 23. Important contributions from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell at the end propelled RCB to a daunting total of 218, which left CSK needing 201 to qualify.
CSK’s chase had a rocky start. Ruturaj Gaikwad fell on the first ball, lobbing an easy catch to Yash Dayal at short fine-leg. With Glenn Maxwell brought in to bowl the first over, early wickets tumbled as Mitchell was dismissed in the third over. At 19 for two, CSK were already in deep trouble.
The partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane offered a glimmer of hope for CSK. The duo compiled 66 runs off 41 balls, balancing caution with aggressive shot-making. Their effort brought some stability, but it was short-lived as Rahane fell to Lockie Ferguson’s bowling after scoring 33.
RCB capitalized on this window, tightening their grip and restricting boundaries. Ravindra, however, showed resistance and reached his half-century with a series of attacking shots, including a four and two sixes in the 12th over.
Drama continued as Shivam Dube, after being dropped by Mohammad Siraj, found himself run out in a misunderstanding with Ravindra. Dube’s night got worse as he soon perished to Ferguson, and Santner’s failed attempt to take on du Plessis’ exceptional catch further pressured CSK.
Needing 71 off the last five overs, CSK’s hopes rested on Dhoni and Jadeja. Despite some big hits, they needed 35 off the final two overs. Ferguson’s over saw more twists with a beamer and subsequent boundaries from Jadeja and Dhoni.
The thrilling conclusion boiled down to Yash Dayal’s final over and solidified RCB’s playoff spot while denying CSK.
