Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a dramatic entry into the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs by defeating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs in a high-stakes clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The thrilling encounter came down to the last over, where CSK required 17 runs to secure their own playoff qualification. In a nail-biting climax, Yash Dayal managed to defend the target, despite MS Dhoni smashing an initial six.
With a full toss delivery from Dayal, Dhoni sent the ball flying over fine-leg for a monstrous 110-meter six on the first ball of the final over. The tension was palpable as the second ball, slower than the first, saw Dhoni attempt another six over square-leg. However, this time he only achieved height, and the fielder comfortably made the catch. Shardul Thakur faced the next ball but missed. He then managed to edge the subsequent delivery for a single, leaving Ravindra Jadeja ten runs to get off the final two balls. Dayal, maintaining his composure, bowled two precise slower deliveries, ensuring CSK fell short and RCB celebrated an entry into the playoffs.
The quality and competitiveness of the game were fitting, given the critical implications for both teams’ tournament fates. CSK, after winning the toss, elected to bowl first, which set the scene for a dynamic showdown.
The powerful batting duo of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis initiated RCB’s innings energetically. A standout moment came when Kohli hit Tushar Deshpande for a six over mid-wicket. By the end of the third over, RCB had aggregated 31 for three when a rain interruption threatened to complicate matters. Fortunately, the delay was brief and did not reduce the overs.
Upon resumption, batting conditions appeared more challenging as CSK deployed their spinners effectively. RCB could only muster six runs in the next two overs, with the ball demonstrating significant grip and turn. Du Plessis eventually broke the shackles by scoring boundaries off Mahesh Theekshana’s deliveries, marking the end of a tightened powerplay.
Kohli continued to attack, hitting a six off Ravindra Jadeja in the ninth over and another one off Mitchell Santner in the tenth, though he was later caught by Daryl Mitchell. Du Plessis followed with a 54-run knock, featuring impressive strikes against Jadeja. Rajat Patidar also contributed robustly with a six off Theekshana early in his innings. However, du Plessis was dismissed when a drive by Patidar deflected off Santner’s hand and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
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By the 13th over, RCB stood at 113 for three, requiring an aggressive push in the slog overs. This momentum was provided by Patidar and Cameron Green, who added 71 runs in just 28 balls, showcasing formidable batting prowess. They ensured that six of the last seven overs resulted in run rates exceeding 13. Patidar scored 41 off 23 balls, while Green remained unbeaten at 38 off 17 balls. Additional cameos from Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell helped RCB surpass the 200 mark, reaching a formidable total of 218 – setting CSK a target of 201 to qualify.
CSK’s chase commenced on a dramatic note when Ruturaj Gaikwad was caught at short fine-leg off Yash Dayal’s first delivery. Glenn Maxwell bowled the opening over, adding immediate pressure. CSK’s early stages were fraught with challenges, and they found themselves at 19 for two after Dayal induced an edge from Mitchell to mid-off.
Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane then attempted to stabilize CSK’s innings with a crucial partnership, blending caution with aggression to add 66 runs off 41 balls. Both players frequently found the boundaries, maintaining a manageable required run rate. However, when Rahane was caught by du Plessis off Lockie Ferguson in the ninth over, it signaled an opening for RCB.
From that point, RCB tightened their grip by restricting boundaries and constructing pressure. Although Ravindra hit a four and two sixes in the 12th over to relieve some pressure and reached his half-century, CSK’s task remained uphill.
The climactic overs heightened the drama further. Shivam Dube was dropped by Mohammad Siraj but it had little impact as Ravindra was soon run-out due to a mix-up with Dube. Following this, Dube himself succumbed, hitting Ferguson straight to long-on. Santner too fell prey, caught spectacularly by du Plessis.
With 71 runs needed off the final five overs, the task appeared daunting for CSK. MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja aimed to rescue the game. Jadeja quickly outlined his intentions by hitting a six down the ground. Despite CSK making good strides in overs 17 and 18, adding 13 and 15 runs respectively, primarily through Jadeja’s efforts, the penultimate over culminated with a beamer and subsequent boundaries but still left them short.
As the final ball was bowled, the electrifying match ended in RCB’s favor, who celebrated a playoff berth, while CSK faced the disappointment of a missed opportunity, marking one of the most exciting finishes of the IPL 2024 season.