by Yash Dayal’s composure under pressure was key, conceding only seven runs in the final over, securing a dramatic win for RCB
The Bengaluru night crackled with a mix of emotions. Virat Kohli, his eyes welling up, perhaps reliving the pressure of the chase. Faf du Plessis, on the other hand, couldn’t hold back his jubilation, a stark contrast to the missing figure of MS Dhoni after the match. This emotional rollercoaster summed up the drama that unfolded in Bengaluru as Royal Challengers Bangalore secured a sixth consecutive IPL 2024 victory, knocking out the Chennai Super Kings and booking their spot in the playoffs.
RCB Seal Playoffs Spot in Dramatic Fashion, Leaving CSK Heartbroken
`Deja vu almost struck again for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Just like last year, where a Virat Kohli century was trumped by a Shubman Gill knock-out special, they needed a win in their final league match to secure a playoff berth.
This time, however, the script flipped. Batting first, RCB rode on blazing knocks from Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, with cameos from Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green, to post a competitive 218 runs. Their target, however, was a tricky one: a win with a minimum margin of 18 runs to knock out the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
CSK, known for their last-over heroics, looked primed for another comeback. Ravindra Jadeja, the hero of their 2023 title win, brought them within touching distance, needing just 10 runs off the last two balls. But a dramatic turn of events unfolded.
Yash Dayal, the young RCB pacer, held his nerve after being smashed for a six by MS Dhoni on the first ball of the final over. He bowled two crucial deliveries – an off-pace length ball and a back-of-the-hand slower ball – to deny Jadeja a boundary and eventually get him caught. The CSK chase crumbled with Dhoni’s dismissal, handing RCB a nail-biting victory and a ticket to the playoffs.
The contrasting emotions were palpable. Kohli, perhaps reliving the pressure of past defeats, appeared emotional. Du Plessis, on the other hand, couldn’t contain his joy, a stark contrast to the missing figure of MS Dhoni after the match.
This win marks a significant moment for RCB, breaking the cycle of last-match heartache and securing a well-deserved playoff spot. They have found their rhythm at the right time, and their opponents in the knockout stages will be wary of their newfound momentum.
Yash Dayal, and a redemption story for the ages
It was April 9th, 2023, a day etched in the memory of Yash Dayal for all the wrong reasons. Bowling the final over for the Gujarat Titans against Kolkata Knight Riders, he needed to defend a daunting 28 runs. What followed was a nightmare – five consecutive sixes hammered by Rinku Singh, sealing a heartbreaking defeat for the Titans. The image of Dayal, slumped on his haunches, face buried in a towel, became a symbol of despair. The young bowler was dropped for over a month and eventually released into the auction pool.
Fast forward to May 18th, 2024. Dayal, now donning the Royal Challengers Bangalore jersey, had a decent IPL season behind him. However, fate had a twist in store. He found himself in a situation eerily similar to his 2023 nightmare: bowling the final over, this time with RCB’s playoff hopes resting on his shoulders. The target was a more manageable 16 runs, but the batsman at the crease was none other than MS Dhoni, the legendary finisher known for his late-innings heroics. The first ball Dayal bowled was a heart-stopping full toss that landed right in Dhoni’s zone, dispatched for a towering six that sailed 110 meters away. In a flash, memories of the previous year might have flooded back.
A tremor ran through Yash Dayal. As the ball sailed over the ropes for a six off Dhoni’s bat, the echoes of 2023 reverberated in his mind. Was Ahmedabad repeating itself here, in the cauldron of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium? CSK needed a mere 11 runs off 5 balls. This was it. Redemption or another crushing blow?
Dayal, sweat beading on his forehead, took a deep breath. This wasn’t Gujarat, this was his chance, his opportunity to rewrite his IPL narrative. With newfound determination, he ran in for his next delivery. This time, a slower ball, cleverly disguised with a back-of-the-hand action, landed on a teasing length around the off-stump. Dhoni, perhaps expecting a quicker delivery, committed early. The ball deceived him with its lack of pace, ballooning off the leading edge towards the deep backward square leg. The drama unfolded in slow motion; eyes followed the trajectory of the ball until a fielder, perfectly positioned, pouched the catch.
