In a nail-biting encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) confirmed their spot in the playoffs of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with a dramatic 27-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The high-stakes match saw fortunes swing back and forth, culminating in a tense final over that could have altered the playoff landscape dramatically.
With CSK chasing a formidable target set by RCB, the climax came down to the last over, with 17 runs needed for CSK to qualify for the playoffs. Yash Dayal was trusted with the ball, and the stage was set for a thrilling finish. The crowd erupted when MS Dhoni dispatched the first ball—a full toss—into the stands over fine-leg for a colossal 110-meter six. The pressure was palpable, but Dayal composed himself, opting for a slower delivery next. Dhoni aimed for another big hit over square-leg, but only succeeded in getting caught comfortably in the deep.
The drama intensified as Shardul Thakur missed the third ball, which was short and slow, adding to the tension. Compensation for the miss came with a lucky edge that earned him a single to short third man. The task of scripting an IPL fairytale now rested on the shoulders of Ravindra Jadeja, with 10 runs needed from the last two balls. However, Dayal executed two excellent slower deliveries, denying Jadeja and CSK the win they needed. This impressive display of nerve and skill secured RCB’s playoff berth and brought to a thrilling end a game in which both teams had so much at stake.
Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, CSK set an equation that demanded them to restrict RCB to a score manageable for an 18-run victory margin to qualify. Known for its high-scoring encounters, the Chinnaswamy Stadium did not disappoint. RCB’s innings had its challenges, and at one point, crossing the 200-run mark seemed ambitious.
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis set the tone for RCB, attacking the CSK bowlers in the initial overs. A notable moment came when Kohli flicked a lofted shot off Tushar Deshpande for a six over mid-wicket, energizing the home crowd. At 31 for three after just three overs, the game paused due to rain. Fortunately, the delay was brief, and play resumed with no overs lost.
The interruption altered the pitch conditions slightly, favoring the bowlers with more grip and turn.
. CSK spinners capitalized, and RCB struggled to add runs, managing only six in the two overs immediately following the break. Du Plessis, however, counter-attacked, smashing a straight hit off Mahesh Theekshana to break the shackles.
Kohli was undeterred, launching Ravindra Jadeja for a six over mid-wicket in the ninth over and following it up with another off Mitchell Santner in the 10th, though he fell the very next ball, caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell. Du Plessis continued the onslaught, achieving his half-century with aggressive shots, but a deflection off a drive by Rajat Patidar led to his unfortunate run-out, leaving RCB at 113 for three after 13 overs in need of a strong finish.
Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green answered the call, unleashing a brutal partnership of 71 off just 28 balls. Their fireworks saw all but one of the remaining overs yielding more than 13 runs. Patidar’s 41 from 23 deliveries and Green’s 38 not out from 17 powered RCB past the 200-mark. Contributions from Dinesh Karthik (14 off six) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off five) further boosted the total to an imposing 218, setting CSK a target of 201 for qualification.
In response, CSK’s chase began inauspiciously, with Ruturaj Gaikwad losing his wicket to the first ball, caught by Dayal off Maxwell’s bowling. Maxwell’s exceptional performance continued, troubling the CSK batters. By the third over, CSK were 19 for two, needing a rescue mission.
Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane embarked on the task, steadying the ship with a blend of caution and aggression, adding a crucial 66 off 41 balls. Regular boundaries kept the run-rate in check, but at 85 for two after nine overs, Rahane fell to a spectacular du Plessis catch off Lockie Ferguson’s first ball.
RCB seized the momentum, tightening their grip with disciplined bowling and fielding. Ravindra’s half-century offered some hope, but a mix-up led to his run-out for 61. Rahane and Mitchell Santner’s departures added to CSK’s woes, and by the final overs, even MS Dhoni’s presence couldn’t overturn the fate as the required rate climbed steeply.
Despite Jadeja’s late barrage—including a six and multiple boundaries off Ferguson—the task proved insurmountable. A dramatic finish saw RCB holding their nerve, as Yash Dayal’s well-executed deliveries sealed the match and the all-important playoff spot for Bengaluru.
As the cricketing world reflects on this thrilling encounter, RCB’s victory stands as a testament to their resilience and strategic execution under pressure.