The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) contingent was over the moon after they defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final IPL 2024 league stage game and qualified for the playoffs.
RCB was asked to bat first and posted 218/5 in 20 overs. This was thanks to Faf du Plessis’ 54 and 47 by Virat Kohli, plus contributions by Glenn Maxwell (16 in 5), Rajat Patidar (41), Cameron Green (38*) and Dinesh Karthik (14 in 6).
While CSK would have preferred to win and go to the playoffs, they also aimed for the 201-run mark, which would have helped them finish in the playoff bracket even if they lost. However, CSK could manage only 191/7 and lost by 27 runs.
CSK needed 17 runs in the last over to qualify for the playoffs and Faf du Plessis gave Yash Dayal the final over. MS Dhoni hit a towering 110-m six to Dayal which sent the ball out of the stadium.
That required a replacement ball to be called for. It was much drier and comparatively easier to grip for the bowler. This helped Yash Dayal, who got Dhoni out the very next ball, with a back-of-the-hand slower ball.
Analyzing the game in the dressing room after the win, RCB's veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik described that crucial moment in the dying stages of the match.
"The best thing to happen today was Dhoni hitting that six outside the ground (because) we got a new ball, which was much better (drier) to bowl with. Yash, that was good bowling. You have a doubt, always bowl a hip-high full-toss on leg-stump...that's a good mantra to follow when the ball is wet," Karthik said in a video shared by RCB.
Karthik also commented on the brilliant effort of his teammates as RCB won all of their last six encounters to make it into the playoffs.
"Other than that, jokes apart, we should be really proud of this journey that we are having. People always remember certain journeys. The way we have come back after 8 games (losing seven of those), we needed to win six (in a row). The way we have come back, I think people will remember this team for a very very special (long) time," said Karthik.
On a cheeky note, the 38-year-old stumper added: "Don't be like Andy Flower (head coach) with a glum face. Smile, enjoy, drink, party, have fun. We have within our grasp to do something where people will remember us for many many decades. They’ll say 'Wow, that RCB team was special'.”
Here is the video:
