Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their place in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs following a nerve-wracking 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The match culminated in a nail-biting last over where CSK required 17 runs to qualify for the playoffs. However, Yash Dayal’s composed performance under pressure sealed the win for RCB.
The climax of the game left fans on the edge of their seats as MS Dhoni smashed a full toss delivery over fine-leg for an extraordinary 110-meter six. On the second ball, Dhoni attempted another big hit but only managed to send the ball high into the sky, resulting in a catch in the deep. Shardul Thakur faced the next ball, missing a short slow delivery, but managed to get a single off an outside edge to short third man. This left Ravindra Jadeja needing to score 10 off the last two balls, reminiscent of his heroics in the 2023 final. Dayal held his nerve, firing two excellent slower deliveries that Jadeja could not capitalize on, thus eliminating CSK from playoff contention and propelling RCB into the playoffs.
CSK had won the toss earlier and opted to bowl first, presenting RCB with the challenge of not just scoring but also defending their total by at least 18 runs to ensure their qualification. The Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its high-scoring games, lived up to its reputation as the match unfolded. Initially, it seemed challenging for RCB to reach a 200-run target, despite a strong start.
Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis took charge from the outset, aggressively attacking the CSK bowlers. Kohli, in particular, was in sublime form, executing a stunning flick shot off Tushar Deshpande for a six over mid-wicket. By the third over, RCB stood at 31 for no loss when rain briefly interrupted play. Thankfully, the rain subsided quickly, and the match resumed without losing any overs—a relief for cricket enthusiasts.
Post-resumption, batting conditions appeared to have toughened as CSK introduced their spinners into the attack. The ball started to grip and turn, making it harder for the RCB batsmen. Over the two overs following the rain break, RCB managed to score just six runs, with Kohli and du Plessis repeatedly beaten by the spin. Du Plessis eventually broke the shackles in the last over of the powerplay, hitting a straight drive off Mahesh Theekshana. Kohli followed suit with aggressive shots, including a massive six over mid-wicket against Ravindra Jadeja.
In the ninth and tenth overs, Kohli continued his assault by launching two exquisite sixes, one off each of Jadeja and Mitchell Santner. However, his aggression led to his dismissal when he misjudged a Santner delivery and was caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell, who exhibited great presence of mind by keeping the ball in play. Du Plessis stepped up thereafter, smashing multiple sixes and fours off Jadeja to notch up his half-century. His effort was complemented by Rajat Patidar, who launched Theekshana for a six early in his innings. Unfortunately, du Plessis’s stay was cut short at 54 when a drive by Patidar deflected off Santner and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
At 113 for three after 13 overs, RCB needed a late surge to post a daunting total. This surge was provided by Patidar and Cameron Green, who stitched together a 71-run partnership in just 28 balls with aggressive batting.
. The partnership’s impact was evident, with only one of the last seven overs going for less than 13 runs. Patidar scored 41 off 23 balls, while Green remained unbeaten on 38 off 17 balls. Contributions from Dinesh Karthik (14 off six balls) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off five balls) helped RCB cross the 200-run mark, eventually setting a target of 218 for CSK to qualify.
CSK’s chase began with immediate drama as Ruturaj Gaikwad was caught by Yash Dayal at short fine-leg off the first ball. Glenn Maxwell, sensing the pressure, was introduced early into the attack. CSK struggled early and lost their second wicket in the third over with Mitchell edging a Dayal delivery to mid-off.
At 19 for two, CSK needed a steady partnership, which Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane provided. Mixing caution with calculated aggression, the duo added 66 runs off 41 balls, keeping CSK’s hopes alive. They maintained a steady run rate, moving to 85 for two after nine overs. Rahane, however, fell to Lockie Ferguson, caught by du Plessis after attempting a big shot.
With Rahane gone, RCB saw an opportunity to tighten the screws on CSK’s scoring. The boundaries dried up, putting pressure back on CSK. In the 12th over, Ravindra briefly countered by hitting a four and two sixes, reaching his half-century.
In subsequent overs, the tension mounted. Shivam Dube was dropped by Mohammad Siraj at long-on in the 13th over but was run out in a mix-up with Ravindra shortly after reaching 61. Dube’s struggles continued as he was caught by Ferguson at long-on in the next over. Mitchell Santner, attempting to alleviate the mounting pressure, tried going over mid-off only to be brilliantly caught one-handed by du Plessis.
Requiring 71 from the last five overs to qualify, CSK saw MS Dhoni joining Jadeja at the crease. Their task was daunting but not impossible. A time-out left CSK needing 63 off the last four overs. Jadeja signaled his aggressive intent with a towering six right after the break. With 13 and 15-run overs following, facilitated mainly by Jadeja’s strikes, including a six and a four off Siraj, the target seemed within reach.
As Ferguson bowled the penultimate over, CSK needed another 35 runs. A beamer allowed CSK to capitalize slightly with Jadeja and Dhoni each hitting a four. The over ended with Jadeja launching the final ball for a six over mid-wicket, setting up an electrifying finish.
Ultimately, the calculated bowling from Yash Dayal in the final over, paired with CSK’s inability to string a prolific end, ensured RCB’s thrilling victory and playoff berth, ending CSK’s campaign. The match exemplified the high-stakes and exhilarating cricket that the IPL is synonymous with.