IPL 2024: How MS Dhoni’s last-over six eventually helped RCB pip CSK

At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings played out an IPL classic, with the hosts winning a thriller in the last over. Though the rain caused only a 41-minute break, it proved to be the massive factor in the outcome. Here is a recap of the drama that unfolded as RCB made the play-offs at the expense of the defending champions…

Tweak in the tale

After Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli had got RCB’s innings off to a flier, the rain break arrived at the best possible time for CSK. The groundstaff were unable to place the blanket sheets in time before the tarpaulin covers came on. Hence, when play resumed, thanks to the moisture, the ball gripped and turned. With Maheesh Theekshana and Mitchell Santner slowing the pace down, all that the two batsmen could do was knock singles here and there. The next three overs got RCB only 11 runs, but importantly, they didn’t lose a wicket, which meant they could always step up.

📽️ RAW Reactions post a surreal win ❤️

When emotions spoke louder than words at Chinnaswamy 🏟️

A special lap of honour for the @RCBTweets fans that continue to believe in their side 👏👏#TATAIPL | #RCBvCSK pic.twitter.com/CrBQUBRKEI

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 19, 2024

The consolidation

With the ball hardly travelling to the wet outfield in those three overs, RCB needed to take risks and when Ravindra Jadeja arrived, they went after him; Kohli even hit a slog-sweep for six. With the ball still gripping and turning, RCB had to take calculated risks. When Du Plessis and Kohli picked the gaps, CSK had to dry the ball. Those 10 singles and three twos looked less damaging at that juncture for CSK, but would only make their life harder.

Two lavish strokes to take your mind away from the rain delay 😉

Virat Kohli gets the Chinnaswamy crowd going 🔥

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The onslaught

After losing Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman, CSK’s death bowling plan revolved around a defensive line – bowling full-length outside off-stump, almost on the sixth-stump channel. But the wet ball didn’t allow them the control needed to do so. On Saturday night, CSK bowlers delivered as many as 16 full-tosses – the most for any team in a game this IPL – and were punished mercilessly. After Du Plessis and Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik and Glenn Maxwell played perfect cameos, feasting on a hapless attack.

The Maxwell touch

Given CSK’s left-hander-heavy batting line-up, RCB needed Maxwell, the off-spinner, more than the batsman. With Swapnil Singh and Karn Sharma not offering favourable match-ups, a lot was riding on Maxwell. And the Australian, apart from delivering a big blow off the first ball by removing Ruturaj Gaikwad, ended-up being the most economical bowler on the night for RCB. In the 11 and 13th overs, despite Shivam Dube being in the middle, Maxwell conceded only 9 runs, giving away only 25 in his four overs.

The captain gets going 💪

Faf du Plessis gets a HALF-CENTURY at a crucial phase 👏👏

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— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2024

Du Plessis’ blinder

When the RCB skipper grabbed a stunner to remove Mitchell Santner, it looked all over for CSK at 129/6 in 15 overs. But like CSK, even RCB pacers would struggle to find control with the wet ball as MS Dhoni and Jadeja took CSK closer and closer to 201, the total that would see them through. When the equation came down to 17 off the last over, it seemed gettable, but the six that Dhoni hit would end up indirectly helping RCB.

The change of ball, destiny

With that six landing in the roof, the umpires would call for a new ball. With the yorker coming with a bit of a risk, with a new, dry ball gripping off the surface, Du Plessis would advise Dayal to go for cutters. And the very next ball, Dayal would deliver a back-of-the-hand slower ball, which Dhoni would top-edge to deep square-leg. Dayal would then close out the game with cutters.

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