In a high-stakes contest at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their spot in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with an electrifying 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The match boiled down to the last over, where CSK needed 17 runs to seal their playoff berth. Yash Dayal emerged as the hero of the hour for RCB, delivering a nerve-wracking final over to extinguish CSK’s hopes.
The drama intensified as MS Dhoni smashed a 110-meter six off the first ball, sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, the momentum shifted back to RCB when Dayal delivered a slower second ball that Dhoni tried to hit over square-leg, only to be caught comfortably by the fielder in the deep. With the pressure mounting, Shardul Thakur missed the third ball and only managed an edge for a single on the fourth, leaving Ravindra Jadeja with 10 runs to get off the last two deliveries. Dayal executed two perfect slower balls, ensuring CSK couldn’t meet their target and propelling RCB into the playoffs.
This thrilling encounter between the arch-rivals had the stadium buzzing, a fitting culmination of the cricketing battle that saw both teams’ fates hanging in balance. CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first in this virtual knockout match. The equation was straightforward: whatever score RCB set, they would need to win by a margin of 18 runs.
The pitch at Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for producing big scores, didn’t disappoint. Despite early signs of resistance, RCB’s innings initially faltered. But Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis took charge in the early overs, with Kohli notably flicking Tushar Deshpande over mid-wicket for an impressive six.
Rain briefly interrupted proceedings after three overs with RCB at 31 for three. Fortunately for the spectators, it was a fleeting shower, and the play resumed swiftly without any loss of overs. Post-resumption, batting conditions appeared more challenging, and CSK leveraged their spinners, demonstrating considerable grip and turn on the ball. In the subsequent two overs, RCB managed only six runs.
Breaking the shackles in the final over of the powerplay, du Plessis hit Mahesh Theekshana down the ground. Kohli matched this energy against Ravindra Jadeja and Mitchell Santner, smashing a six over mid-wicket in the ninth over, and repeating the feat off Santner in the 10th. However, Kohli’s aggressive stint ended when he was caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell.
Du Plessis then dominated the crease, smashing two sixes and a four off Jadeja to reach his half-century. Rajat Patidar, another in-form batter for RCB, also contributed significantly.
. However, du Plessis’s innings ended at 54 when a drive by Patidar hit the stumps after a deflection off Santner’s hand. At 113 for three in 13 overs, RCB seemed set for a slog-phase onslaught.
The crucial partnership that pushed RCB past the 200-mark was spearheaded by Patidar and Cameron Green. They accumulated 71 runs in just 28 balls, showcasing powerful and aggressive batting. Patidar scored 41 off 23 deliveries, while Green remained unbeaten with 38 off 17. Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell added short but impactful cameos, enabling RCB to post a formidable 218 runs, compelling CSK to chase 201.
CSK’s chase began with a dramatic twist as Ruturaj Gaikwad was caught by Yash Dayal off the first ball. Glenn Maxwell opened the bowling, creating initial difficulties for CSK batters. CSK lost their second wicket in the third over when Mitchell edged a delivery to mid-off. At 19 for two, CSK seemed in jeopardy.
Rachin Ravindra and Ajinkya Rahane then stabilized the innings, adding 66 off 41 balls through a balance of caution and aggression. Both players found boundaries regularly, maintaining the required run rate. However, Rahane’s dismissal at 85 for two off Ferguson’s first ball handed RCB a crucial breakthrough.
RCB capitalized on this momentum shift by stifling CSK’s boundary flow. The 12th over renewed pressure on CSK, although Ravindra hit two sixes and a four to relieve some tension and complete his half-century.
The tension escalated when Shivam Dube was dropped by Mohammad Siraj but got run-out soon after, followed by Santner’s dismissal. The match looked set for an electrifying finish when MS Dhoni joined Jadeja needing 71 from the last five overs. Jadeja hit the first ball he faced for a six, signaling his intent. With 63 needed off the last four overs, CSK gathered 13 and 15 runs in subsequent overs.
In the penultimate over, CSK required 35 runs, starting with a beamer from Ferguson. Jadeja and Dhoni each hit a four, with Jadeja finishing the over with a six, setting up a thrilling final over. However, Yash Dayal’s exceptional bowling under immense pressure denied CSK their qualification and ensured an exhilarating RCB victory.