RCB Clutches Playoff Spot with a High-Stakes Win Over CSK
Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium was buzzing on May 18, with the stakes sky-high for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the last league game of IPL 2024. For both teams, it all boiled down to this match: winner goes through, loser’s season ends. When the dust settled, it was RCB who celebrated, sealing a playoff position with a gripping 27-run victory—while fans watched CSK’s playoff streak shatter.
RCB started out in confident fashion after being put in to bat. The early overs saw Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli in full flow. The pair kept the score ticking with crisp boundaries, frustrating CSK’s bowlers and building a solid platform. Du Plessis was an anchor and aggressor, racing to 54 off just 39 balls. Kohli, the heartbeat of RCB’s lineup, narrowly missed a half-century but his quickfire 47 set the tone for a big total. The first wicket didn’t fall until the eighth over, and that groundwork proved vital as the middle order stepped in.
As the innings wore on, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green made sure RCB didn’t lose their grip. Patidar’s 41 off 23 was laced with intent, while Green’s 38 from 17 lit up the crowd. They peppered the boundaries, launching RCB past 200 despite a flurry of late wickets. The only positive for CSK came through Shardul Thakur, grabbing two wickets—but his figures suffered as RCB finished at 218/5 after 20 overs, a daunting target under lights.
CSK’s Choppy Chase and the Pressure-Cooker Finale
The tension inside the stadium was palpable as CSK started their chase. Expectations were sky-high from skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad but Lockie Ferguson struck early, sending Gaikwad back and letting RCB draw first blood. Ajinkya Rahane stepped up, playing the sheet anchor, while Ravindra Jadeja showed grit under pressure, adding a crucial 42 lower down the order.
However, the run chase was anything but smooth. RCB’s bowlers maintained tight lines, never letting CSK settle into a rhythm. The asking rate kept climbing, yet CSK hung in, relying on cameos and the ability to clear the ropes. The game took a dramatic turn in the final overs—Jadeja was run out just when CSK looked threatening, turning the momentum back to the home side. But it was the last over that truly tested nerves.
Yash Dayal, handed the ball for the final six balls, stood up to the challenge. With CSK needing a big finish, Dayal mixed his pace and length smartly, backing himself against the big hitters. Remarkably, CSK needed ten runs from the last two balls—still possible with MS Dhoni at the crease in theory, but the chase fizzled as Dayal didn’t lose his nerve. CSK closed on 191/7, confirming RCB’s win and playoff qualification.
As the final ball was bowled, emotions ran high. Kohli looked drained but relieved, showing how much this campaign meant to him. On the other side, CSK's dugout was gloomy, with Dhoni notably skipping the post-match routine. Faf du Plessis was all smiles, collecting the Player of the Match award for a knock that set the tone early on. For RCB fans, it was a night to remember—the team’s sixth win in a row had carried them from the brink of elimination straight into the playoffs. For CSK, missing the playoffs was an unfamiliar and bitter pill to swallow, marking a rare stumble for the yellow brigade.
