RCB fans on the streets of Bengaluru© X (Twitter)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) did the unthinkable, securing their sixth consecutive win to qualify for the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs. RCB’s match against Chennai was a virtual knockout match, with the winner of the match (by a certain margin) progressing to the next round. It was RCB who capitalized on emphatic performances from captain Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green to book their place in the next round, while CSK missed out on the playoffs in Ruturaj Gaikwad’s first season as captain.
Seeing the Bengaluru franchise confirm their top 4 finish in epic fashion, RCB fans thronged home streets and blocked roads as they celebrated their team’s heroic victory.
RCB fans blocked the road in Bengaluru to celebrate their entry into the Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/AzqZlIq4IS
—Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 18, 2024
That was at 1:30am tonight… That’s what makes it even more special. We have the best fans in the world and we are very proud of that. #PlayBold RCB #IPL2024 #RCBvCSK pic.twitter.com/tVnVRoxQ8O
– Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 18, 2024
The celebrations on the streets of Bengaluru were beautiful! pic.twitter.com/EwNI6sGpJa
—Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 19, 2024
It was the sixth successive victory for RCB, who first posted a solid 218 for five after being asked to bat and then restricted CSK to 191 for seven to reach the play-offs for the ninth time in 15 seasons.
RCB survived a scare as Ravindra Jadeja (42 not out) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (25) raised hopes of a fightback after Rachin Ravindra’s 61, but Yash Dayal held his nerves in the final over to guide the hosts home.
Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already qualified for the play-offs.
While it was ecstasy for RCB, Dhoni’s legions of fans were plunged into despair as it could be the last time they witnessed ‘Thala’ performing on a cricket field.
Depressed after losing seven of their first eight games, RCB rattled off five straight wins to create a remarkable turnaround and give themselves a chance to reach the final four.
On Saturday, the hosts needed to win by at least 18 runs to secure a place in the final play-offs and they did so in style with yet another impressive show at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Both teams finished with 14 points, but RCB made it to the final four on the basis of a better net run rate.
With PTI inputs
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This story originally appeared on ndtv.com read the full story
