RCB Overcomes Jadeja-Dhoni Threat to Clinch Playoff Berth

by Gaurav Gupta
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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clinched their sixth consecutive victory to secure a spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Their thrilling win at Chinnaswamy Stadium saw them edge past Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for the fourth playoff position, thanks to a slightly superior Net Run Rate (NRR).

Decisive Moments

The middle-overs proved crucial. After a promising start, CSK faltered, especially with Shivam Dube’s struggle and Rachin Ravindra’s untimely run-out, leaving too much for the finishers. RCB, on the other hand, excelled in this phase, maintaining a scoring rate exceeding 10 runs per over.

Middle-Overs Comparison

ParametersRCBCSK
Runs96/271/4
Run-rate10.677.88
4s/6s6/63/3

Royal Challengers Bangalore

PowerPlay: Rain Halts RCB’s Momentum

Score: 42/0 in 6 overs [RR: 7.00, 4s/6s: 3/3]

Tushar Deshpande delivered a disciplined opening over, but Faf du Plessis soon found his rhythm against Shardul Thakur. Virat Kohli quickly made amends, hitting two sixes off Deshpande’s second over. RCB reached 31/0 in 3 overs when rain interrupted play. Post-resumption, the pitch aided CSK’s spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Mitchell Santner, who contained the openers to just 11 runs in the next 3 overs.

Middle-Overs: RCB Lose Two but Counterattack

Score: 96/2 [RR: 10.67, 4s/6s: 6/6]

CSK introduced more spin with Ravindra Jadeja joining in, extracting significant turn. Kohli took calculated risks against the spinners, scoring a four and several sixes before his dismissal. Du Plessis adapted, hitting boundaries and accelerating the run rate. Despite the dismissals of Kohli and du Plessis, RCB managed to maintain a high scoring rate, with Theekshana and Santner conceding just 48 runs in their combined 8 overs.

Death-Overs: Green, Patidar, Karthik Propel RCB

Score: 80/3 [RR: 16.00, 4s/6s: 5/7]

RCB’s late-innings assault was led by Cameron Green, Rajat Patidar, and Dinesh Karthik. Green’s 17-ball 38 included three sixes, while Patidar’s 23-ball 41 featured four sixes. Contributions from Karthik and Glenn Maxwell ensured RCB amassed 218/5. To secure a playoff spot, they needed to restrict CSK to 200 or less.

Chennai Super Kings

PowerPlay: CSK Recover Quickly After Early Wickets

Score: 58/2 [RR: 9.67, 4s/6s: 7/1]

Glenn Maxwell’s first ball dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Daryl Mitchell’s early exit put CSK on the back foot. However, Ajinkya Rahane and Rachin Ravindra counterattacked, punishing Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal for their inconsistent lengths, setting a solid platform for the chase.

Middle-Overs: Ravindra’s Run-Out and Faf’s Spectacular Catch

Score: 71/4 [RR: 7.88, 4s/6s: 3/3]

Swapnil Singh’s economical spell and Karn Sharma’s expensive over balanced each other out. Lockie Ferguson’s introduction saw the dismissal of Rahane and some tight bowling. Maxwell and Faf du Plessis added to CSK’s woes, with a mix-up resulting in Ravindra’s run-out and a stunning catch by du Plessis removing Santner. MS Dhoni entered with CSK needing an improbable 90 off 30 for a win and 72 to qualify for the playoffs.

Death-Overs: Yash Dayal Holds Nerve in Final Over

Score: 62/1 [RR: 12.4, 4s/6s: 5/4]

With 50 required off the last 18 balls, CSK seemed out of the contest until Jadeja revived hopes by taking 15 off Siraj’s over. Ferguson’s struggles with the wet ball allowed CSK to edge closer, but Yash Dayal’s composure in the final over, despite an initial six by Dhoni, sealed the game for RCB. Dayal’s slower ball dismissed Dhoni, and with 10 needed off the last 2 deliveries, he successfully defended the runs.

Match Summary: Royal Challengers Bangalore 218/5 in 20 overs (Faf du Plessis 54, Virat Kohli 47; Mitchell Santner 1-23) defeated Chennai Super Kings 191/7 in 20 overs (Rachin Ravindra 61, Ravindra Jadeja 42*; Yash Dayal 2-42) by 27 runs.

Looking Ahead

CSK’s journey in IPL 2024 ends here. RCB will proceed to Ahmedabad for the Eliminator on May 22, where they will face either Rajasthan Royals or Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Image Credit @bbci

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