BENGALURU: The Indian Meteorological Department had issued a yellow alert (heavy rainfall) for Saturday. Four overs into the virtual knockout clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, a steady downpour ensured the covers came on. For 42 minutes the RCB dugout was on tenterhooks, hoping their playoff dreams weren't washed away without a fight.
When the match resumed there was rain yet again. But it's the kind of showers the jam-packed stadium had patiently waited for. RCB's combined batting effort ensured they finished with a commanding 218/5. That was the beginning of a well-scripted and executed victory.
Playing their 100th IPL match on their home turf - the M Chinnaswamy stadium - Faf du Plessis & his men continued their resurgence in the 17th edition of the IPL. Tight bowling, electric fielding by the likes of Du Plessis ensured a 27-run win for RCB and the last playoff berth at the expense of CSK.
With both tied on 14 points, RCB sneaked past CSK on a better run rate. A loss notwithstanding, CSK could have still qualified if they had breached the 200-mark.
CSK needed 17 runs off the last over to qualify, Mahendra Singh Dhoni looked like he would win it for his team. After sending a Yash Dayal's delivery out of the stadium, he was dismissed and that signalled the end of CSK's challenge.
In a high-voltage clash, which could well have been the iconic MS Dhoni's last dance, former champions CSK were outplayed by RCB despite the heroics of ‘another home boy' CSK's top-order bat Rachin Ravindra (61, 37b), who has his roots in Bengaluru.
CSK were in with a chance with the seasoned Ravindra Jadeja (42; 22b, 3x4, 3x6) and veteran Dhoni (25; 13b, 3x4, 1x6) at the crease, but RCB kept it tight in the last two overs.
1/9:Royal Challengers Bengaluru knock out Chennai Super Kings to earn IPL playoffs spot
<p>Royal Challengers Bengaluru knock out Chennai Super Kings to earn IPL playoffs spot</p>AFP
2/9:RCB Playoff Entry
<p>Royal Challengers Bengaluru knocked out defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs and secured a playoff spot on Saturday.</p>AFP
3/9:Stunning Comeback
<p>Bengaluru achieved an amazing comeback by rising from the bottom of the table and winning six straight games to qualify for the playoffs.</p>AFP
4/9:Yash Dayal
<p>Chennai needed 219 runs for an outright win but managed only 201, falling 10 runs short as Yash Dayal held his nerve in the last over.</p>AFP
5/9:Playoff Picture
<p>The final playoff matchups will be determined after the last round-robin games on Sunday.</p>AFP
6/9:Cameron Green
<p>Bengaluru posted 218-5, led by Faf du Plessis' 54 off 39 balls and Cameron Green's unbeaten 38 off 17.</p>AFP
7/9:Mahendra Singh Dhoni
<p>Chennai's chase ended at 191-7, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni possibly making his last appearance, scoring 25 off 13.</p>AFP
8/9:Key Partnerships
<p>Du Plessis and Virat Kohli opened with 78 off 58 balls, while Rajat Patidar and Green added 71 off 28 balls for the third wicket.</p>AFP
9/9:Ravindra Jadeja
<p>Ravindra Jadeja's unbeaten 42 off 22 and Dhoni's last-over drama were not enough as Chennai crashed out of the playoffs.</p>AFPWhen rain interrupted play, RCB, who were invited to bat, were 31 for no loss. When they returned they lost momentum for a few overs with the dampness aiding spinners.
The yellow alert taken in their stride, the pair of Rajat Patidar (41) and Cameron Green (38 n.o) took the bowlers to the cleaners with their ruthless display of power hitting during their 71-run, third-wicket partnership.
Earlier, after the rain break, Virat Kohli (47) and Faf du Plessis (54; 39b; 3x3; 3x6) saw off the testing period in which they went without a boundary for 14 deliveries.
