IPL 2024, RCB vs CSK, Key Takeaways: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Bowlers held their nerves and enter into the play-offs. Top takeaways for Bengaluru and Chennai from the match.
Brief Scores: RCB 218/5 (Faf du Plessis 54, Shardul Thakur 2/61) beat CSK 191/7 (Rachin Ravindra 61, Yash Dayal 2/42 ) by 27 runs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won a thriller by 27 runs against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to knock out the defending champions and enter the play-offs in IPL 2024 on Saturday. Bengaluru needed to win by 18 runs or more to be tied on 14 points with Chennai and beat them on net run-rate. Yash Dayal maintained his composure in the last over to seal it for RCB.
Key Takeaways from RCB vs CSK, Match 68, IPL 2024 - Winning team (RCB)
RCB’s batting came together in a must win game
Bengaluru produced their best batting display in IPL 2024 in the clash against Chennai. It was a collective batting display from the Bengaluru batters as almost all of them played at a strike rate of over 150. Once again, the Bengaluru openers Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli provided a great start, putting an opening stand of 78 runs in 9.4 overs despite an interval of a rain break.
Kohli dominated the stand, scoring a 29-ball 47 with 3 fours and 4 sixes. Du Plessis then took over, reaching his fourth fifty of the season, scoring a 39-ball 54. Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green carried forward the momentum with a stand of 71 runs in 4.4 overs. Patidar made a 23-ball 41. Green (17-ball 38 not out), Glenn Maxwell (5-ball 16) and Dinesh Karthik (6-ball 14) provided late cameos to help Bengaluru finish on 218/5.
Key Takeaways from RCB vs CSK, Match 68, IPL 2024 - Losing team (CSK)
Topsy-turvy season for Chennai comes to an end; Jadeja, Dhoni’s efforts fall short
Chennai needed to lose by less than 18 runs against Bengaluru to qualify for the play-offs. But they lost by 27 runs to lose their play-off berth. Bengaluru jumped to fourth place with 14 points and a net run-rate of 0.46 while Chennai ended fifth with same points and net run-rate of 0.39. It was a case of so near yet so far for Chennai this season.
They have had an inconsistent season where they were brilliant in a few games, and mediocre in the rest. They also struggled to put up a winning combination due to injuries or players moving out of the squad for international duty. In the last league clash against Bengaluru, Chennai batters - Rachin Ravindra (61), Ravindra Jadeja (42*) and MS Dhoni (25) - tried their best but fell short of achieving a play-off berth. It also sums up Chennai’s season as it was a mix of highs and lows.
Read More: IPL 2024, CSK vs RR, Key Takeaways: CSK boost their qualification odds; RR still a step away
Statistical Highlights from RCB vs CSK, IPL 2024
Bengaluru posted their sixth win in a row – the joint fourth in IPL.
Virat Kohli crossed the 700-run mark in IPL 2024. Currently, he is the highest run-getter in IPL 2024, with 708 runs @ 64.36 in 14 matches.
Ruturaj Gaikwad posted his second duck in IPL 2024 – the joint second most in the ongoing edition. Overall, Gaikwad has 6 ducks in IPL.
Rachin Ravindra posted his maiden IPL fifty when he made 61 against Bengaluru.
Points Table Scenario & What's Next
Bengaluru have qualified for the play-offs with this win. They will now play ‘Eliminator’ on May 22 either against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) or Rajasthan Royals (RR). Post this win, Bengaluru are placed fourth on 14 points. Chennai have 14 points as well, but are placed fifth with a slightly weaker net run-rate.
The league stage of IPL 2024 is set to conclude with a doubleheader Sunday on May 19. Hyderabad will take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the day’s first game while Rajasthan and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) clash in the second.