Royal Challengers Bengaluru won by 27 runs
RCB – 218/5(20)
CSK – 191/7(20)
Faf du Plessis
CSK vs RCB, RCB is taking a victory lap to thank the crowd, just as Faf promised. Not many people left the stadium tonight. It was an exciting game, and the RCB fans got what they wanted – their team in the playoffs, knocking out CSK. RCB has won 6 matches in a row and they have a lot of momentum. They’ll play in Ahmedabad for the Eliminator and wait to see who they’ll face. We’re signing off now. It was great bringing you this coverage. Hope you enjoyed it. The cricket action continues without a break
Faf du Plessis, the captain of RCB and player of the match expressed his elation at the thrilling victory. He described the evening as remarkable, with an electrifying atmosphere that made it a pleasure to conclude the season with a win at home. Reflecting on the challenging conditions, he remarked that the pitch was perhaps the most demanding he had encountered in T20 cricket. Following a rain interruption, he and Virat Kohli, his teammate, had contemplated a modest target of 140-150. However, upon resuming play, they found themselves facing conditions akin to a fifth-day Test match at Ranchi. Despite this daunting scenario, they managed to amass a formidable total of 200 runs, a feat that Faf deemed unbelievable.
In recent matches, RCB’s batsmen had displayed commendable intent and a strong strike-rate, a shift from their previous slower approach. This change in attitude had proved instrumental in their success. Defending a target of 175 runs, the game became tense, particularly with the presence of MS Dhoni, a seasoned campaigner. However, RCB’s bowlers exhibited exceptional skill, adapting adeptly to the challenge of handling a wet ball.
Faf’s acknowledgment of Yash Dayal’s stellar bowling performance was particularly noteworthy. Despite being relatively new to the team, Dayal’s contribution had been invaluable, deserving of the Man of the Match accolade. Faf’s advice to Dayal before the crucial final over encapsulated the team’s ethos: trust in one’s abilities and relish the moment.
The fervent support of the crowd did not go unnoticed by Faf. Even during periods of adversity, the fans remained steadfast in their support, a testament to their unwavering loyalty. In the locker room, there was a shared sense of determination to get things right, a sentiment that fueled their performance on the field. The stage was set for an enthralling clash between two cricketing giants, CSK and RCB, with the home crowd adding to the electric atmosphere.
Most consecutive wins for RCB (IPL)
7 in 2011 (Runners up)
6 in 2024
5 in 2009 (Runners up)
5 in 2016 (Runners up)
RCB has achieved a historic feat by becoming the first team ever to secure a Playoff spot despite having just one win in their first seven games of the season. This remarkable turnaround echoes their performance in IPL 2016 when they also rallied from a 2-5 record at the halfway stage to win six of their last seven league matches, securing a Playoff berth at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
In a season marked by extremes, RCB has set another unique record by being the first team to experience sequences of six consecutive wins and six consecutive defeats within the same campaign. Previously, only Deccan Chargers in 2010, PBKS in 2020, and SRH in 2022 had managed sequences of five consecutive wins and defeats each.
Ruturaj Gaikwad shared his thoughts on the match, acknowledging that while the pitch offered some spin, a target of 200 runs was achievable. Despite their efforts, they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, which is typical in T20 games. He expressed satisfaction with their performance throughout the season, securing seven wins out of 14 matches. However, he lamented their inability to clinch victory in the crucial moments, especially with key players sidelined due to injuries. Gaikwad credited the CSK staff and everyone involved for their efforts during the season, despite facing numerous challenges from the outset. He highlighted the team’s resilience in adjusting their playing XI due to injuries and illnesses among the players. Despite personal milestones, Gaikwad emphasized that winning matches is the ultimate goal, expressing disappointment at falling short despite individual achievements.