In what can be termed as the epitome of dream comeback, Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered their sixth win in a row and made it to the playoffs with 27-run triumph over Chennai Super Kings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
Faf Du Plesssis-led RCB decimated defending champs on their home ground amid buzz of this being MS Dhoni’s last IPL match. With Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad already through, RCB knew they had to deliver – and they did.
Batting first after CSK won the toss and opted to field first, RCB set an imposing target of 218 for five. Skipper du Plessis (54) and Virat Kohli (47) laid a solid foundation with a blistering 78-run partnership in just 9.4 overs, despite a 40-minute rain delay after the third over in the powerplay.
Rajat Patidar’s explosive 41 off 23 balls, combined with Cameron Green’s unbeaten 38 off 17, kept the momentum soaring. Late fireworks from Dinesh Karthik (14 off 6) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off 5) pushed RCB to a commanding total.
In reply, CSK, needing 201 runs to qualify based on net run rate, crumbled under pressure, managing only 191 for 7. Rachin Ravindra’s valiant 61 off 37 and solid contributions from Ravindra Jadeja (42 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane (33) were in vain. Even the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s spirited 25 off 13 balls couldn’t save the day.
In a welcome departure from his dismal show, Maxwell also picked up a wicket – on his very first delivery to set the tone of the second innings. Yash Dayal held his nerve in the final over, clinching 2/42 to seal CSK’s fate and propel RCB into the playoffs.
