Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a breathtaking 27-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The match reached its zenith in the final over, with CSK needing 17 runs to decisively qualify for the playoffs.
Yash Dayal took the ball with MS Dhoni on strike, delivering a full toss on the first ball. Dhoni, known for his finishing prowess, swung hard and sent it soaring over fine-leg for a massive 110-meter six. However, the excitement had only just begun. Dayal’s second ball was slower and pitched, causing Dhoni to mistime his shot. The ball flew high but was comfortably caught by the fielder, marking a pivotal moment in the game.
Shardul Thakur, facing the next delivery, missed it entirely. The following ball saw Thakur edge it to short third man, earning only a single. This left Ravindra Jadeja with the responsibility of scoring 10 runs off the last two balls. Dayal, maintaining his composure, bowled two exquisite slower deliveries, effectively sealing the game and RCB’s place in the playoffs.
The match began with CSK winning the toss and opting to field first, a decision pivotal to their strategy as they needed to restrict whoever batted first by 18 runs to ensure their own playoff spot. The Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its batting-friendly pitch, promised a high-scoring game.
RCB began their innings with Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis taking command early on. Kohli especially stood out with a powerful flick off Tushar Deshpande, launching the ball over mid-wicket for a six. Rain intervened the proceedings at the end of the third over, with RCB at 31 for three. Fortunately, it was a transient shower and play resumed without any reduction in overs.
Upon resumption, batting conditions turned challenging as CSK introduced their spinners, exploiting the gripping and turning ball. Over the next two overs, RCB struggled, adding only six runs. Du Plessis broke the shackles in the final over of the powerplay, hitting Mahesh Theekshana down the ground. Kohli followed suit, aggressively targeting Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner post powerplay.
Kohli’s attempts to dominate were evident as he cleared the boundary over mid-wicket against Jadeja and Santner. However, in the 10th over, Kohli’s rampage came to an end, caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell. Du Plessis continued the assault, reaching his half-century with two sixes and a four off Jadeja.
Rajat Patidar joined the action, hitting Theekshana for a six early in his innings.
. Unfortunately, du Plessis was run out for 54 when a drive from Patidar glanced off Santner’s hand and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. RCB, at 113 for three in 13 overs, needed acceleration in the slog overs.
Patidar and Cameron Green then orchestrated a blistering partnership, adding 71 runs off just 28 balls. Their onslaught ensured RCB amassed over 200 runs, with Patidar scoring 41 off 23 balls and Green remaining unbeaten on 38 off 17 balls. Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell’s short cameos further helped RCB end with a formidable total of 218, leaving CSK with a challenging target of 201 to keep their playoff hopes alive.
CSK’s chase began dramatically with Ruturaj Gaikwad getting dismissed on the very first ball, caught by Dayal at short fine-leg. Glenn Maxwell, surprisingly brought in to bowl the first over, set the tone with his tight bowling. CSK lost their second wicket in the third over when Mitchell edged Dayal to mid-off, reducing CSK to a precarious 19 for two.
Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane took on the responsibility of stabilizing the inning. Their partnership of 66 off 41 balls balanced caution with aggression, ensuring the required run rate didn’t escalate uncontrollably. The partnership was broken after they reached 85 for two in nine overs, when Rahane was caught by du Plessis off Lockie Ferguson for 33.
RCB seized the opportunity to tighten the noose, restricting CSK’s scoring in the following overs. However, Ravindra demonstrated resilience by hitting a four and two sixes in the 12th over to reach his half-century. The drama heightened in the subsequent overs.
Shivam Dube, dropped by Mohammad Siraj at long-on in the 13th over, couldn’t capitalize, as Ravindra was run out shortly after for 61 in a mix-up with Dube. Dube’s struggle ended in the next over, hitting Ferguson to long-on. The pressure compounded on CSK when Santner was brilliantly caught by du Plessis in the 15th over trying to clear mid-off.
With the equation narrowing, CSK needed 71 runs off the final five overs. MS Dhoni joined Jadeja, tasked with an almost impossible chase. A strategic time-out left them needing 63 off the last four overs. Jadeja signaled intent, smashing the first ball post time-out for a six. The next two overs went for 13 and 15 runs, keeping hope alive.
In the penultimate over, bowled by Ferguson, Jadeja and Dhoni managed a boundary apiece before Jadeja concluded it with a six over mid-wicket. This breathtaking sequence set up a nerve-wracking final over where Dayal held his nerve, eventually guiding RCB to a sensational 27-run victory and a place in the IPL playoffs.