In a nail-biting contest, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with an exhilarating 27-run victory over arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The high-stakes match, which played out like a cricketing drama, saw fortunes swing until the very last over. With CSK requiring 17 runs to qualify for the playoffs, it all came down to a tense finish.
The final over began with Yash Dayal facing the legend MS Dhoni. Dayal, on his first ball, delivered a full toss that Dhoni dispatched over the fine-leg boundary for a massive 110-meter six, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Maintaining his composure, Dayal bowled a slower delivery next which had Dhoni aiming for the square-leg boundary. Unfortunately for CSK, Dhoni could only muster a high shot caught by the fielder stationed in the deep. Shardul Thakur, who followed, missed a slow short ball and managed only an outside edge for a single to short third man. With 10 runs needed from the final two deliveries and steeped in reminiscent pressure of the 2023 final, Ravindra Jadeja was left to conjure another last-over miracle. However, Dayal bowled two expertly disguised slower deliveries, clinching a vital win for RCB and securing their entry into the playoffs.
This victoriously dramatic showdown was epitomized as two fierce opponents contested with their tournament fates hinging on the result. CSK’s decision to bowl first on winning the toss set up an intriguing target scenario; they needed to restrict RCB to a sub-200 score to remain in control of their playoff destiny. However, the Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch, known for producing high-scoring matches, remained true to form.
RCB’s innings saw early fireworks from the formidable duo – Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis. Kohli, in particular, played a standout flick shot off Tushar Deshpande, launching the ball over mid-wicket for a six that set the tone for RCB’s innings. At the end of the third over with RCB at 31 for three, rain interrupted play briefly, but without impeding overs, ensuring fans were treated to a full-throttle contest.
Resuming post showers, the conditions appeared tougher for batsmen as CSK’s spinners took center stage.
. The ball began gripping and turning significantly, and RCB found runs hard to come by, managing only six runs in the two overs after play resumed. Du Plessis shattered those early restrictions with a straight hit down the ground off Mahesh Theekshana, and Kohli followed suit by attacking the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner. Kohli’s aggressive strokes included a towering six off Jadeja and another six-over mid-wicket off Santner. Yet, Kohli’s innings ended when he was caught down at long-on attempting another big shot.
Du Plessis, having reached his half-century, orchestrated another thrilling passage of play with Rajat Patidar. After du Plessis’s unfortunate run-out, signified by a technical ricochet off Santner’s hand onto the non-striker’s stumps, Patidar and Cameron Green elevated RCB’s scoring momentum. The pair amassed an essential 71-run partnership in just 28 balls, with their aggressive flurry ensuring RCB breached the 200-mark. Contributions from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell further propelled RCB to a commanding total of 218, setting CSK a steep 201 target to secure their playoff aspirations.
CSK’s chase began on a shaky note as Ruturaj Gaikwad fell to Yash Dayal on the first ball, followed by Mitchell Santner’s early departure, leaving CSK in a precarious position at 19 for two. Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane stabilised the innings, combining caution with well-timed aggression, accruing 66 runs off 41 balls. Despite Rahane’s dismissal, the pair’s concerted effort ensured CSK stayed in touch with the required run rate.
With the game intensifying in the closing stages, Shivam Dube offered a semblance of hope but soon faltered, leaving MS Dhoni and Jadeja the monumental task of rescuing the chase. Jadeja, embracing the challenge, hit consecutive boundaries off Ferguson and Siraj, keeping CSK’s hopes alive until the final over. But the pressure and Dayal’s accurate slower deliveries ultimately proved too formidable.
In awarding RCB this thrilling win, both teams displayed exceptional skill and competitive spirit, leading to a fittingly dramatic conclusion. RCB’s qualification to the playoffs adds yet another chapter in IPL’s storied rivalry between two of its most celebrated teams.
