Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s sixth victory on the trot ended Chennai Super Kings’ title defence in Tata IPL 2024 match 68 on Saturday. The 27-run win in the knockout game against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led squad paved the way for RCB’s entry into the IPL playoffs. It was a heartbreaking moment for the visitors. MS Dhoni, who was probably playing his last IPL match, was nowhere to be seen as Virat Kohli teared up for this stunning win. Taking a victory lap on their home ground, RCB players were greeted with a giant banner that read ‘RCB forever’.
RCB vs CSK: Win for the ages
This is the win for the ages. A dream comeback that nobody saw. In first half of the tournament, RCB were at the bottom of the IPL Points Table. In fact, in a recent interaction, Kohli had said that he had ‘packed his bags’ back in April over the dismal show. But these six consecutive wins have raised the expectations of the fans who have been chanting ‘ee sala cup namde’ for over 17 years!
RCB vs CSK: This time last year
For the hosts, it must have been a sense of Deja vu. It was the same time last year when GT stole the show and the playoff spot and Kohli’s century went into vain. This year, RCB were in the top form from the word go. They showed aggression, the intent.
RCB vs CSK: In top gear
Winning the toss, his third in this season of IPL, Gaikwad invited the hosts to bat first. Kohli and Faf kept up the pressure. although CSK bowlers got some help thanks to the 40-minute rain break, the RCB openers didn’t let that overpower their innings. Kohli (47 off 29 balls) and Faf Du Plessis (54 off 39) kept RCB in the driver’s seat. After their departure, Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar took the charge from middle overs to death overs, RCB batters kept the momentum going. At death, Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell, who was brought back after Will Jacks left, kept going and hitting the ball. At the end of 20 overs, RCB were 218 for 5.
RCB vs CSK: Defending champs on backfoot
In reply, Maxwell dismissed Gaikwad on the very first ball of the second innings and CSK looked a bit hassled. While Rachin Ravindra (61 off 37), Ajinkya Rahane (33 off 22) kept the tourists in the hunt, the loss of wickets at regular intervals never really let CSK build the momentum. Picture this. From 115/3 to 129/6, CSK’s top order collapsed in just 13 balls. At this point, Dhoni decided to come to bat and he along with Jadeja did give a hope to CSK fans for a dream finish. But the superb bowling by Yash Dayal denied any fairytale ending to the visitors.
RCB vs CSK: Yash Dayal- The game-changer!
Just when Dhoni started looking threatening, Dayal got the wicket of the evening. Dismissing Dhoni at 25, RCB’s hope was hanging by the thread as Jadeja was still on the strike. From 35 needed off 12 to 17 off the last over, it came down to just one man – Yash Dayal. He kept his calm and bowled the over that sealed the fate of RCB.
In fact, skipper Du Plessis said that he was dedicating his ‘Man of the Match’ award to Dayal. But was this the last time we saw Dhoni in action? The question remains.