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Picture : IPL /X

Royal Challengers Bengaluru produced a sensational all- round show in must win match to clinch the fourth play-offs spot. In a must win game RCB beat the defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs in a Tata IPL 2024 encounter. It was was RCB’s sixth straight win.

Earlier, CSK Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl first. The move backfired as RCB posted a huge total .  Openers  RCB Skipper Faf du Plessis  and Virat Kohli set the platform . Faf du Plessis  scored a attacking 54 ( 39 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and with Kohli 47 ( 29 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) .

In superb form Rajat Patidar was blazing in his 41 ( 23 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes) , Dinesh Karthik ( 14) , Glenn Maxwell ( 16) . Aussie Cameron Green gave the perfect power finish with a scintillating unbeaten cameo 38  ( 17 balls , 3 fours, 3 sixes)   , Mahipal Lomror not out 0 as RCB finished at 218/ 5 in their 20 overs.

CSK bowling :  Tushar Deshpande 1/ 49 ( 4 overs) , Shardul Thakur 2/ 61 ( 4 overs) , Maheesh Theekshana 0/ 25 ( 4 overs) , Mitchell Santner 1/ 23 ( 4 overs) , Ravindra Jadeja 0/40 (  3 overs) , Simarjeet Singh 0/ 19  ( 1 over)

In reply to the big chase, CSK  were rocked  early as they lost  in- from Skipper  Ruturaj Gaikwad  ( 0) . Daryl Mitchell  fell soon for ( 4) .  Ajinkya Rahane 33 ( 22 Balls, 3 fours, 1 six) and Kiwi  Rachin Ravindra who was brilliant  61  ( 37 balls , 5 fours , 3 sixes) put CSK on track but both fell soon after.  Shivam Dube’s  poor form continued out for ( 7) , Mitchell Santner ( 3) .

Mahendra Singh Dhoni  showed fans his prowess with 25 ( 13 balls , 3 fours, 1 six), Ravindra Jadeja played an entertaining unbeaten knock  of 42  ( 22  balls , 3 fours , 3 sixes) , Shardul Thakur  was not out 1 as CSK finished at 191/ 7 in their 20 overs .

RCB bowling  figures  :  Glenn Maxwell 1/ 25 ( 4 overs) , Mohammed Siraj1/ 35 ( 4 overs) , Yash Dayal 2/ 42 ( 4 overs), Swapnil Singh 0/ 13 ( 2 overs) ,  Karn Sharma 0/ 14 ( 1 over) , Lockie Ferguson 1/ 39 ( 3 overs) , Cameron Green 1/ 18 ( 2 overs)

The delight in RCB player’s faces after win told the story how much the win mattered . This has been a dramatic comeback of sorts. Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already qualified for the play-offs.

Picture : IPL / X

The  hosts needed to win by at least 18 runs to book the final play-off berth and they did that in style with yet another impressive show at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The two teams finished level on 14 points but RCB sneaked into the final four on the basis of a better net run-rate.

CSK Impact Player: Shivam Dube replaces Maheesh Theekshana RCB Impact Player: Swapnil Singh replaces Rajat Patidar