BENGALURU: The
Indian Meteorological Department
had issued a yellow alert (heavy rainfall) for Saturday. Four overs into the virtual knockout clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, a steady downpour ensured the covers came on. For 42 minutes the RCB dugout was on tenterhooks, hoping their playoff dreams weren't washed away without a fight.
When the match resumed there was rain yet again.
But it's the kind of showers the jam-packed stadium had patiently waited for. RCB's combined batting effort ensured they finished with a commanding 218/5. That was the beginning of a well-scripted and executed victory.
Playing their 100th IPL match on their home turf - the M Chinnaswamy stadium - Faf du Plessis & his men continued their resurgence in the 17th edition of the IPL. Tight bowling, electric fielding by the likes of Du Plessis ensured a 27-run win for RCB and the last playoff berth at the expense of CSK.
With both tied on 14 points, RCB sneaked past CSK on a better run rate. A loss notwithstanding, CSK could have still qualified if they had breached the 200-mark.
CSK needed 17 runs off the last over to qualify, Mahendra Singh Dhoni looked like he would win it for his team. After sending a Yash Dayal's delivery out of the stadium, he was dismissed and that signalled the end of CSK's challenge.
In a high-voltage clash, which could well have been the iconic MS Dhoni's last dance, former champions CSK were outplayed by RCB despite the heroics of ‘another home boy' CSK's top-order bat Rachin Ravindra (61, 37b), who has his roots in Bengaluru.
CSK were in with a chance with the seasoned Ravindra Jadeja (42; 22b, 3x4, 3x6) and veteran Dhoni (25; 13b, 3x4, 1x6) at the crease, but RCB kept it tight in the last two overs.
When rain interrupted play, RCB, who were invited to bat, were 31 for no loss. When they returned they lost momentum for a few overs with the dampness aiding spinners.
The yellow alert taken in their stride, the pair of Rajat Patidar (41) and Cameron Green (38 n.o) took the bowlers to the cleaners with their ruthless display of power hitting during their 71-run, third-wicket partnership.
Earlier, after the rain break,
Virat Kohli
(47) and Faf du Plessis (54; 39b; 3x3; 3x6) saw off the testing period in which they went without a boundary for 14 deliveries.
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