In a battle for the final IPL 2024 playoffs spot, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (May 18).

Chasing a daunting target of 219, CSK needed over 200 runs to qualify and came remarkably close with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja launching a counterattack towards the end.

The defending champions required 17 runs off the final over, but despite Dhoni smashing a towering six off the first ball, Yash Dayal held his nerves to secure RCB’s victory.

Despite facing adversity, RCB defied the odds and secured their place in the playoffs. They achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs after winning only one of their initial eight matches in the season.

Speaking on Star Sports, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan described what this remarkable turnaround means to the league and RCB.

"This season has been iconic (for RCB). You don't do such things again and again. RCB se aapko ummeed isliye nahi thi kyuki unki gendbaazi unit itni pukhta hai nahi (you didn't have hope from RCB because their bowling unit is not that strong)," Irfan said.

"If you see the teams that have made it to the top four (playoffs), if you compare their bowling units, RCB's bowling is not that strong. You don't have a bowler who can bowl yorkers. Despite that, you win six matches in a row and qualify for the playoffs. For that reason, this is an iconic season -- for Virat Kohli, for Faf du Plessis, for RCB and their fans. I haven't recovered until now," he added.

The league stage culminated on Sunday to confirm the standings in the top four, with Kolkata Knight Riders (20 points) finishing on top, followed by Sunrisers Hyderabad (17 points), Rajasthan Royals (17 points) and RCB (14 points).

That means KKR and SRH will play Qualifier 1 on May 21, while RR and RCB will square off in the Eliminator on May 22. Both the games will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

"RCB kharab khel rahi thi shuru mei (RCB were playing bad at the start). They didn't win a match for one month...I have played the IPL. If you lose even two matches in a row, your hands and legs start shaking...If you don't win for a month, you are dead. They (RCB) have risen like a phoenix. From the dead, they have come alive...That's the kind of cricket they have played. This season will be remembered for that for the years to come," Pathan remarked.