Bengaluru: Just like his wife Anushka Sharma at the stands, Virat Kohli too had tears in his eyes after Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs to secure the fourth and final play-off spot in the ongoing Indian Premier League. Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already qualified for the play-offs.
Sent into bat, RCB posted a challenging 218 for five against CSK in their must-win. Skipper Faf du Plessis (54) and Virat Kohli (47) shared 78 runs for the opening stand in 9.4 overs after the match was interrupted by showers for sometime at the end of the third over. Coming onto bat at No.3 position, Rajat Patidar made 41 off 23 balls and stitched 71 runs with Cameron Green (38 not out off 17) for the second wicket to keep up the tempo.
Towards the end, Dinesh Karthik (14 off 6) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off 5) played short little cameos to lift RCB. CSK needed 201 runs to qualify for the playoffs on account of a better run rate even if they lose, but could only manage 191 for 7. Needing 23 runs to qualify for the playoffs, Dhoni smashed Yash Dayal to bring down the equation to 17 needed from five balls.
The emotions from Virat Kohli.
– Miracles happen and RCB did in Chinnaswamy. pic.twitter.com/qj0XctAfge
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 18, 2024
However, Dhoni’s dismissal in the next ball turned the game into RCB’s head as Dayal kept his nerves in to power his team to a memorable victory. Soon after the final ball was bowled, Kohli ran towards his captai Faf du Plessis and had tears in his eyes.
Rachin Ravindra scored 61 off 37 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane made 42 not out and 33 respectively. Towards the end, Dhoni, who could have probably played his last IPL match, scored a 13-ball 25-run cameo. But it was not enough. Dayal kept his cool in the last over and returned with figures of 2/42 for RCB.
However, RCB’s opponent in the Eliminator is yet to be decided, so as KKR’s opponent in the Qualifier 1. While KKR have locked the top position, RCB will remain in fourth. The second and third positions will be decided on Sunday when Rajasthan Royals face KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad take on Punjab Kings.
A win for either Rajasthan Royals or Sunrisers Hyderabad will help them to the second spot.
