At the high-stakes match between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 18, feelings were running high as both teams fought valiantly to secure a postseason spot. However, the hosts ultimately prevailed by 27 runs to become the last side to advance past the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 round-robin stage.
In order to maintain their advantage over the Royal Challengers and advance to the playoffs, the Super Kings needed to reach 201 after giving up 218/5 in their 20 overs. Nevertheless, the incumbent champions had the worst possible start to their innings when they lost their skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad, off the opening ball. Daryl Mitchell left after a few overs as the visitors collapsed to 19/2. Following the two early defeats, the CSK supporters at the stadium were devastated. In the meantime, Chennai fans saw RCB legend Virat Kohli shushing them and adding salt to their wounds by making the “finger on lips” sign.
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As Yash Dayal bowled a magnificent last over under pressure against two of the finest finishers in world cricket, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, the previous five-time winners were eventually reduced to 191/7 in their 20 overs. With this victory, RCB earned a spot in the playoffs for the fourth time in the previous five years.
Virat Kohli keeps up his amazing form.
Kohli blasted a rapid 47 from 29 balls on Saturday, striking three fours and four sixes in an incredible knock. It started to rain after the third over of the RCB innings, so the umpires had to suspend play. The CSK spinners were able to turn the ball square off the surface following the interruption. Kohli, though, played with such fluency that this didn’t bother him.
Kohli exceeded 700 runs for the season with his 47-run knock. He has collected 708 runs from 14 matches in the IPL 2024 at an average of 64.36 and a strike rate of 155.60. This season, he has already scored five fifties and one century. After scoring 973 runs in the 2016 Indian Premier League, this is his most prolific season at bat.