In a thrilling encounter that saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) march into the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs, they secured a nerve-wracking 27-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This match, brimming with tension and anticipation, came down to the final over with CSK needing 17 runs to secure their playoff qualification. The stage was set for a high-stakes showdown as Yash Dayal took the ball for the final overs.
It began with Dayal delivering a full toss, which CSK skipper MS Dhoni launched into the atmosphere, sending it soaring for a mammoth 110-meter six over the fine-leg boundary. The momentum seemed to shift in favor of CSK. However, the tables turned with the very next delivery. As Dayal slowed the pace, Dhoni aimed for another boundary but ended up handing a straightforward catch to the fielder positioned deep on the leg side.
The drama heightened as Shardul Thakur missed Dayal’s subsequent short and slow delivery. He managed only an outside edge, which meandered to short third man for a single. With just two balls remaining, Ravindra Jadeja walked in, tasked with the monumental challenge of scoring 10 runs to emulate his heroics from the 2023 final. Dayal, demonstrating nerves of steel, deftly delivered two consecutive slower balls, outsmarting Jadeja and denying CSK a win, thus ushering RCB into the playoffs. It was a fitting conclusion to a day where such legendary rivals crafted an exciting narrative, their progress in the tournament hanging on a knife-edge.
In this virtual knockout, CSK opted to bowl first upon winning the toss, necessitating RCB to achieve a victory margin of over 18 runs. The Chinnaswamy Stadium’s pitch, infamous for producing high scoring matches, did not deviate from its reputation. However, during a certain phase in RCB’s innings, even the formidable 200-mark seemed elusive.
The match commenced with RCB’s openers, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, showing intent in the initial overs. Kohli’s sublime flick off Tushar Deshpande that resulted in a six over mid-wicket was a particular highlight. At the end of the third over, RCB were at 31 for three when unexpected rains halted play. Fortunately for fans and players, the rains were merely brief, allowing the game to restart without loss of overs.
As play resumed, batting conditions appeared to have toughened up. CSK introduced their spin arsenal, taking advantage of the ball showing signs of grip and turn.
. The two overs following the restart saw RCB struggle, garnering just six runs as the ball menacingly darted past the bat. Faf du Plessis finally broke the shackles with a powerful lofted drive off Mahesh Theekshana, concluding the powerplay on a solid note. Following du Plessis’s lead, Kohli exhibited his flair against the spinning duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner, smashing boundaries at will.
The ninth and tenth overs witnessed Kohli finding the boundary ropes, hitting Jadeja over mid-wicket for six and later replicating the feat against Santner. However, Kohli was soon caught at long-on. A sharp Daryl Mitchell plucked the ball out of the air, displaying impeccable awareness.
Faf du Plessis assumed the charge, clattering Jadeja’s deliveries for two sixes and a four, as he celebrated his half-century. This innings barrier break was soon followed by an impressive Rajat Patidar strike, who joined forces with Cameron Green. This pair orchestrated a batting masterclass, aggregating 71 runs in only 28 balls. In a spectacular display of power hitting, Patidar scored 41 from 23 balls, and Green’s unbeaten 38 from 17 balls took RCB’s total past 200, eventually setting the target at 218 for CSK.
CSK’s pursuit commenced dramatically when Ruturaj Gaikwad found Yash Dayal’s short fine-leg on the very first ball. RCB had strategically introduced Glenn Maxwell to bowl early, considering their innings’ events. CSK found themselves reeling at 19 for two after an early collapse in the third over, with Mitchell handing a simple catch to mid-off off Dayal’s delivery.
The responsibility of stabilizing the CSK innings fell to Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane. Their partnership, marked by a blend of cautious stroke play and aggressive boundary-hitting, amounted to 66 off 41 balls. Boundaries came at regular intervals, keeping their required run rate within reach as they edged the score to 85 in nine overs before Rahane’s loss for 33 to Lockie Ferguson aided a window of resurgence for RCB.
CSK appeared to regain momentum briefly with some aggressive stroke play but failed to sustain it amidst consistent pressure created by RCB’s bowling attack. A crucial turning point came as Ravindra was run-out amidst a confusion with Shivam Dube, who subsequently departed in the next over.
With the pressure on, it was up to Dhoni and Jadeja to chase the impossible equation of needing 71 from the last five overs. Despite some late flourish and valiant hits over the boundary rope from Jadeja, it was Yash Dayal’s disciplined bowling that kept CSK at bay. Faced with an uphill task in the final over, CSK buckled under an artful display of slow, calculated bowling, with Dayal sealing Bangalore’s triumph and their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs in an electrifying finish.