IPL 2024: Virat Kohli tears up after qualifying for playoffs by beating CSK

Virat Kohli (Source: X / Twitter )

In an exciting match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, RCB beat CSK by 27 runs and qualified for the Indian Premier League 2024 playoffs.  They had to defend 201 runs to reach the playoffs.

In a last ball thrill where Ravindra Jadeja was on strike and CSK needed 10 runs off 2 balls with Yash Dayal bowling. It felt like the 2023 finals where Jadeja hit a six and a four to win the title for CSK but unfortunately, it was not in favour of the Yellow Army. After the win, Virat Kohli got emotional as he was seen in tears after qualifying against the defending champions.

From the 10th position to qualifying for the playoffs of the IPL 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru did it in just 15 days. They won 7 matches out of the 14 they have played so far in the tournament. The team has shown a class performance in the last 5 matches.

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad chose to bowl against the home team after winning the toss. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis gave the guests a rough start as they kept hitting off some boundaries. Virat Kohli scored 47 runs off 29 balls and was caught by Daryl Mitchell whereas skipper Faf scored 54 runs off 39 balls. RCB put up a score of 218/5 in the allotted 20 overs where they had to defend 201 runs against CSK to reach the playoffs.

For the second innings, when CSK batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra came into bat, the skipper had to walk back to the dressing room for a duck on the first ball itself. Glenn Maxwell’s magic worked out well to take the first wicket of CSK on the first ball of the innings itself. When MS Dhoni walked in, the fans had some hopes up as he hit sixes and fours but unfortunately when he hit a shot for a six, got caught by Swapnil Singh in the last over of the match being bowled by Yash Dayal.

It was Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s day, they had to win this must-win game against the defending champions at their home ground. “What a night! Such a great atmosphere. Just a pleasure to finish the season in front of the home seasons. There was a lot of rain falling on the pitch, and you don’t want that moisture. It felt like a day-five Test match in Ranchi! The contributions from many batters at good strikes, I’m really proud. We were defending 175 [and neither 201 nor 218]! We tried to get the ball changed tonight. I dedicate the Man of the Match [award] to Yash Dayal! I said to him pace off on this wicket is the best option. It’s crazy; even when we weren’t winning, we had the fans here. It was set up perfectly – CSK vs RCB! Incredible. Thank you everyone for their support. It’s really important that you enjoy this. Your first goal in the IPL is to try and get in the knockouts,” RCB skipper Faf du Plessis.