The Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) 68th match is a tantalizing southern derby between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). While both clubs are fighting for the final playoff slot, the reigning champs have a small advantage because they only need to win to guarantee a spot.
However, in order for RCB to advance to the knockout stages, they must win by a margin of 18 runs. Ruturaj Gaikwad was fortunate to win the toss, which played a major role in this important match considering the Bengaluru weather. At the thrilling Chinnaswamy stadium, the captain of CSK made the predictable decision to bowl first.
Highlight of Match 68: RCB vs. CSK, first innings
Rain prevents play over 2.6.
RCB was able to have a strong start even though Tushar Deshpande bowled a tight opening over, giving up just two runs. In the second over, Shardul Thakur conceded 16 runs, including two fours and a six. Virat Kohli scored 13 runs, including two massive sixes, off of Deshpande’s second over, which he bowled.
Chinnaswamy was suddenly drenched with rain, with sheets covering every available space. At 8:25 p.m., the game resumed after a 35-minute break due to rain.
Powerplay 1: 42 runs and 0 wickets are required in overs 0.1 to 6.0.
Maheesh Theekshana initiated proceedings immediately after the restart, when CSK launched a spin attack. Rain not only stopped play, but it also hindered the RCB openers’ momentum. CSK regained control when Theekshana and Mitchell Santner produced a significant amount of spin.
At the first strategic timeout, RCB was 70/0 in 9 overs (Faf du Plessis 29* off 28 and Virat Kohli 40* off 26).
While CSK attempted to use their spin to stop RCB, Kohli and du Plessis found some runs to keep the scoreboard moving. After the former RCB captain’s bat hit a maximum in the ninth over and then a single, the umpire called a strategic break.
Mitchell Santner takes a crucial wicket off Virat Kohli in the first over.
While du Plessis was taking his time to calm down, Virat Kohli was blazing fast and steadily increasing the score for RCB. On the third ball of the tenth over, he used his slog-sweep to strike Santner for a stunning six. On the very next delivery, however, the Kiwi spinner exacted revenge. A significant edge from Kohli’s bat, lacking the strength to clear the long-on boundary. Mitchell, Daryl, and Kohli, B. Mitchell Santner 47 (29).
100 runs in 11.2 overs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Faf du Plessis altered tactics when Kohli was out, hitting Ravindra Jadeja for 19 in the eleventh over. RCB captain Rohit Sharma started the batting match at 30 from 29 balls. He quickly reached 49 in his next four deliveries and reached his fourth half-century of the year in the 12th over. For RCB to reach 100 runs on the board, he needed a single on the second ball to accomplish the accomplishment.
Also read: Why won’t Moeen Ali and Will Jacks be participating in IPL 2024 Match 68 between RCB and CSK?
At the second strategic timeout, RCB was 155/2 in 16 overs (Cameron Green had 22* off 11 and Rajat Patidar was 28* off 7).
Du Plessis appeared to be in danger, but CSK managed to remove the Proteas batter just in time. Santner and Patidar made a poor delivery that hit the bowler, who was able to get a fingertip in before the ball hit the stumps. The ball did indeed make contact with the bowler’s finger, as verified by the extreme edge, and Faf was forced to retreat because his bat missed the mark by a few millimeters.
From there, though, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green prevented CSK from taking the lead. Prior to the teams splitting up for a second timeout, the two carried on with their aggressive play, scoring 155 in 16 overs.
After 20 overs, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are 218/5.
Final score for the hosts: 218/5! RCB had a strong foundation thanks to a 78-run partnership between Kohli and du Plessis. Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green maintained the momentum. Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik’s last-minute surge made sure that RCB scored a respectable total.
India
