Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have cemented their place in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs after a gripping 27-run victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The match was nothing short of a nail-biter, coming down to the final over with CSK needing 17 runs to claim their spot in the playoffs. It was an evening of high drama and intense cricketing action.
Yash Dayal, taking a deep breath, approached with determination and delivered a full toss for the first ball of the last over. MS Dhoni, the seasoned finisher, swung his bat with characteristic power, propelling the ball for a colossal 110-meter six over fine leg. The second ball, a slower one from Dayal, saw Dhoni attempting another big hit over square-leg but only finding the fielder in the deep who made no mistake in taking the catch, much to the delight of the Bengaluru crowd.
With Shardul Thakur on strike, the tension couldn’t have been higher. Dayal bowled a short and slow ball, which Thakur missed, followed by an outside edge that merely fetched a single to short third man. Ravindra Jadeja, renowned for his last-over heroics in the 2023 final, needed 10 runs off the final two balls. But Dayal, maintaining his composure, sent down two excellent slower deliveries that kept Jadeja at bay, securing a thrilling win for RCB and their entry into the playoffs.
The clash between these two longstanding rivals lived up to its billing, especially as both teams’ playoff hopes hinged on this single match. Earlier, CSK won the toss and chose to bowl, setting the stage for a gripping encounter in batting-friendly conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
RCB’s innings started on a high note with their star batters Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis showcasing their attacking prowess in the powerplay. A standout moment came when Kohli executed a magnificent flick over mid-wicket for a six off Tushar Deshpande. However, at the end of three overs, the match was temporarily halted by a sudden downpour. Thankfully, the rain was brief, and play resumed without a reduction in overs.
Post-resumption, the conditions seemed tougher for the batsmen as CSK introduced their spinners. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner made the ball grip and turn, making runs hard to come by. In the crucial overs before the end of the powerplay, RCB struggled to score quickly, managing only six runs, emphasizing the bowlers’ dominance.
Nonetheless, du Plessis broke the shackles with a straight hit off Mahesh Theekshana, while Kohli continued his aggression against spin. Kohli’s energy was evident when he hit Jadeja for a six over mid-wicket in the ninth over, followed by another six off Santner in the next over. However, Kohli’s aggressive knock came to an end as he was caught by Daryl Mitchell at long-on, managing to keep his balance and the ball within the boundary rope.
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Faf du Plessis, undeterred, reached his half-century with some powerful hits off Jadeja. Meanwhile, Rajat Patidar, RCB’s in-form batsman, joined the fray effectively with a six off Theekshana. But du Plessis’ innings was cut short at 54 due to an unfortunate run-out when Patidar’s straight drive deflected off Santner’s hand onto the stumps. At 113 for three in 13 overs, RCB needed acceleration in the death overs.
Enter the match-winning partnership between Patidar and Cameron Green, who together added a scintillating 71 runs off just 28 balls. This flurry of runs included several big hits, ensuring that six out of the last seven overs yielded at least 13 runs each. Patidar’s quick-fire 41 off 23 and Green’s unbeaten 38 off 17 balls were instrumental in RCB reaching a challenging total of 218. Short, impactful cameos from Dinesh Karthik (14 off six balls) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off five balls) further bolstered the score.
Needing 201 to qualify, CSK’s chase began on a precarious note as Ruturaj Gaikwad was caught at short fine-leg by Dayal off the very first ball. Glenn Maxwell’s introduction into the attack early on kept the CSK batters on their toes. The early loss of Mitchell for 19 in the third over added to CSK’s woes, putting them at 19 for two.
However, Ajinkya Rahane and Rachin Ravindra formed a crucial partnership, blending caution with calculated aggression. Their stand of 66 off 41 balls included regular boundaries to keep the required run rate manageable. Just as the partnership seemed to anchor the innings, Rahane’s departure for 33 due to a catch by du Plessis off Ferguson’s first ball hindered CSK’s momentum.
The following overs saw RCB tightening their grip on the match by stalling the flow of boundaries. Yet, Ravindra’s half-century injected some hope into the CSK camp. The game’s intensity rose as key moments unfolded, including missed catches and run-outs. Shivam Dube’s dismissal for 61, compounded by Santner’s departure after a stunning catch by du Plessis, swung the pendulum back in RCB’s favor.
Ravindra Jadeja, shouldering much of the responsibility, struck Siraj for a six and a four, pushing the boundaries of what was possible. With 35 needed off the last two overs, Ferguson delivered a mixed penultimate over, contributing to an intensely dramatic finish. The final showdown saw Dhoni and Jadeja trying to close the gap, but Yash Dayal’s composed bowling in the last over sealed a memorable victory for RCB, ensuring their place in the playoffs and sending a clear statement of their intent in TATA IPL 2024.