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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered a thrilling 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, booking their ticket to the IPL 2024 playoffs.
Last-Over Drama
Chasing 201 runs for a playoff berth, CSK found themselves in a precarious position needing 10 runs off the last two balls with Ravindra Jadeja on strike. The scene mirrored the IPL 2023 final where Jadeja’s heroics sealed victory for CSK. However, this time around, fate wasn’t on the Yellow Army’s side as young RCB pacer Yash Dayal held his nerves and denied Jadeja the winning runs.
Emotional Outburst for Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli
The win sparked joyous celebrations from the RCB camp, particularly from star batsman Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma. The couple, visibly overwhelmed with emotion, couldn’t hold back their tears of happiness, signifying the immense pressure and importance of this victory.
Also WATCH: Daryl Mitchell’s brilliant juggling boundary catch to dismiss Virat Kohli in RCB vs CSK clash | IPL 2024
Aaarrr Ceeee Beeee ❤️👏
6️⃣ in a row for Royal Challengers Bengaluru ❤️
They make a thumping entry into the #TATAIPL 2024 Playoffs 👊
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/7RQR7B2jpC#RCBvCSK | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/otq5KjUMXy
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2024
Match Summary
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad opted to field first after winning the toss. Virat Kohli (47 runs) and Faf du Plessis (54 runs) provided a strong foundation for RCB, setting a challenging total of 218/5. In reply, CSK’s chase started poorly with the early dismissal of Gaikwad. Despite valiant efforts from Rachin Ravindra (61), Jadeja (42 not out) and MS Dhoni (23), CSK ultimately fell short, succumbing to the pressure of the chase.
Also READ: Twitter erupts as RCB knocks CSK out to reach the IPL 2024 playoffs
Remarkable Turnaround For RCB
This win marked a remarkable turnaround for RCB. From languishing in tenth position after 8 games, they managed to string together six wins in seven matches to secure a playoffs spot. Their recent form has been exceptional, showcasing a newfound consistency that was missing earlier in the season.