The Royal Challengers Bangalore completed their fairytale comeback in the ongoing Indian Premier League season, as they held their nerve to beat the Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs in an edge-of-the-seat thriller and marched into the playoffs, after winning their sixth game on the trot at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy stadium.
Chasing a daunting target of 219 runs and needing at least 201 runs to qualify for the playoffs, CSK got off to a poor start as skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed for a golden duck by Glenn Maxwell on the very first ball of the innings.
The New Zealand duo of Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell attempted to rebuild the innings. However, a poor shot by Mitchell resulted in his dismissal for just four runs, with Yash Dayal taking the wicket and Virat Kohli catching him at mid-off. CSK were reduced to 19/2 in 2.2 overs.
Ajinkya Rahane then joined Ravindra, keeping the run-rate going with some fine boundaries. CSK reached the 50-run mark in 5.3 overs.
The partnership brought up 50 runs in 30 balls.
In the ninth over, pacer Lockie Ferguson removed a well-set Rahane for 33 off 22 balls, which included three fours and a six. Skipper Faf du Plessis took a catch, tumbling as he completed it.
Halfway through their innings, CSK was 87/3 with Ravindra (39*) and Shivam Dube (1*) unbeaten.
However, RCB soon got the important wicket of Ravindra, who was run out by Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik for 61 off 37 balls, including five fours and three sixes. CSK was 115/4 in 13 overs.
In the 14th over, Cameron Green struck, getting the crucial wicket of a struggling Dube, who scored just seven runs off 15 balls.
RCB continued to make inroads, dismissing Mitchell Santner for three runs, with Faf du Plessis taking a fine catch at the edge of the ring. CSK was 129/6 in 15 overs.
MS Dhoni was the next batter to the crease. Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni kept CSK in the hunt, reaching the 150-run mark in 16.5 overs.
With some fine boundaries and sixes, Jadeja and Dhoni kept CSK’s hopes alive, bringing them to 166/6 in 18 overs, needing 35 runs to secure the playoff spot.
In the last over, the pair of Dhoni and Jadeja brought the equation down to 17 runs needed for qualification.
Yash Dayal started the over by conceding a six but got Dhoni’s wicket on the next ball. Dhoni was dismissed for 25 off 13 balls, with three fours and a six. RCB successfully secured the playoff spot, restricting CSK to 191/7, with Jadeja (42*) and Shardul Thakur (1*) unbeaten.
Dayal (2/42) was the pick of the bowlers for RCB. Lockie Ferguson, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj each took a wicket.
Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 218/5 (Faf du Plessis 54, Virat Kohli 47, Rajat Patidar 41; Shardul Thakur 2/61) beat Chennai Super Kings 191/7 (Rachin Ravindra 61, Ravindra Jadeja 42, Yash Dayal 2/42).
