Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched a thrilling 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to secure their qualification for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. This crucial Match 68 featured drama until the last over, making it a definitive moment in the season for both teams.
With CSK needing 17 runs off the final over to qualify themselves, veteran MS Dhoni faced Yash Dayal’s first delivery, a full toss that Dhoni launched over the fine-leg boundary for a colossal 110m six. Anticipation soared as the crowd witnessed Dhoni attempting a similar feat with the second ball, but this slower delivery resulted in a high catch at square leg, dampening CSK’s hopes.
Shardul Thakur, the next man in, missed Dayal’s slow and short third delivery, managing only an outside edge for a single towards the short third man. Ravindra Jadeja was left with the daunting task of scoring 10 off the final two balls. Dayal’s composed bowling with precise slower balls ensured that CSK fell short, propelling RCB into the playoffs and finalizing the result of a nail-biting contest.
In an electrifying virtual knockout, CSK opted to bowl first after winning the toss, setting a target where RCB needed to win by a margin of at least 18 runs to proceed into the playoffs. The Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for high-scoring games, lived up to its reputation despite moments in RCB’s innings hinting that 200 runs might be hard to come by.
Openers Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis started aggressively. Kohli notably flicked Tushar Deshpande for a six over mid-wicket, one of the standout shots in the early overs. However, at 31 for three after three overs, rain interrupted the play briefly.
When play resumed, batting conditions appeared challenging, and CSK introduced their spinners. RCB struggled against the turning ball and added just six runs in the two overs post-resumption. It was du Plessis who first broke the impasse with a straight six off Mahesh Theekshana. Kohli too regained momentum against Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner, hitting big sixes over mid-wicket before being caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell.
Du Plessis continued his onslaught, reaching his half-century with a sequence of boundaries off Jadeja, while Rajat Patidar joined him, hitting Theekshana for an early six in his innings. Unfortunately, du Plessis was out for 54, run out after a drive by Patidar deflected off Santner onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end. At 113 for three in 13 overs, RCB needed a rapid acceleration.
The necessary push came with Patidar and Cameron Green’s partnership.
. They accumulated an impressive 71 runs off just 28 balls, showcasing aggressive and strategic batting. Contributions from Dinesh Karthik (14 off six) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off five) carried RCB beyond the 200-run mark, setting a challenging total of 218 for CSK.
CSK’s chase began dramatically, losing Ruturaj Gaikwad on the first ball, caught by Yash Dayal at short fine-leg as Glenn Maxwell opened the bowling. CSK faced early hurdles, with Mitchell getting out in the third over, caught at mid-off, reducing CSK to 19 for two.
Ajinkya Rahane and Rachin Ravindra then began rebuilding. Their partnership of 66 runs off 41 balls balanced caution with strategic aggression, ensuring the required run rate didn’t soar too high. They moved CSK to 85 for two off nine overs before Rahane was caught by du Plessis off Lockie Ferguson’s first delivery.
RCB seized this opportunity to apply pressure, restricting boundaries in the subsequent overs. Rachin Ravindra managed a significant surge in the 12th over with a four and two sixes to reach his half-century. The game’s intensity heightened as Shivam Dube survived a drop at long-on by Mohammad Siraj, only for Ravindra to be run out following a mix-up shortly after, ending his excellent knock.
Dube couldn’t capitalize as he fell shortly, and in over 15, Santner’s attempt to clear mid-off resulted in a spectacular catch by du Plessis, tipping the balance back towards RCB.
Facing a steep requirement of 71 runs off the final five overs, CSK fans’ hopes hinged on Jadeja and Dhoni. A timeout recalibrated their strategy, leaving CSK needing 63 off the last four overs. Jadeja signaled intent by hitting the first ball post-timeout for a six.
CSK managed 13 and 15 runs in two overs, with Jadeja taking the lead, hitting Siraj for a six and a four. The penultimate over, bowled by Ferguson, saw CSK needing 35. A beamer from Ferguson provided a reprieve, and Jadeja along with Dhoni picked boundaries to inch closer.
Jadeja ended the over with a mighty six, setting up a tense finale. However, Dayal’s disciplined and clever slower deliveries ensured the last over denied CSK, leaving RCB elated as they secured their spot in the playoffs, wrapping up an unforgettable match contested fiercely by two iconic IPL franchises.