Virat, Anushka Can't Hold Back Tears As RCB Beat CSK To Enter Playoffs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru rose like a phoenix and earned themselves a playoff spot in style on Saturday night. In a match which went past midnight, RCB held their calm against the defending champions and came out victorious. Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated defending champions Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs to secure the fourth and final play-off spot in the Indian Premier League on Saturday. Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already qualified for the play-offs. Sent into bat, RCB posted a challenging 218 for five against CSK in their must-win.

Skipper Faf du Plessis (54) and Virat Kohli (47) shared 78 runs for the opening stand in 9.4 overs after the match was interrupted by showers for sometime at the end of the third over.

Coming onto bat at No.3 position, Rajat Patidar made 41 off 23 balls and stitched 71 runs with Cameron Green (38 not out off 17) for the second wicket to keep up the tempo.

Towards the end, Dinesh Karthik (14 off 6) and Glenn Maxwell (16 off 5) played short little cameos to lift RCB.

CSK needed 201 runs to qualify for the playoffs on account of a better run rate even if they lose, but could only manage 191 for 7.

Rachin Ravindra scored 61 off 37 balls, while Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane made 42 not out and 33 respectively.

Towards the end, the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who could have probably played his last IPL match, scored a 13-ball 25-run cameo. But it was not enough. Yash Dayal kept his cool in the last over and returned with figures of 2/42 for RCB.

After the win Virat Kohli got emotional as did his wife Anushka Sharma. 

Aaarrr Ceeee Beeee

in a row for Royal Challengers Bengaluru

They make a thumping entry into the #TATAIPL 2024 Playoffs

Scorecard https://t.co/7RQR7B2jpC#RCBvCSK | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/otq5KjUMXy

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2024

Anushka Sharma is crying. Virat Kohli is crying. I am crying #IPL2024 #RCBvsCSK #tapmad #HojaoADFree pic.twitter.com/G3QNztr0H2

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) May 18, 2024

Both Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma in tears. This victory means so much to them pic.twitter.com/5PQGf31iFX

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) May 18, 2024

Anushka Sharma is literally crying. Y'all know how much this means for Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/sJ5DZOANIf

— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) May 18, 2024

RCB are yet to win the IPL, having once reached the final before.

With PTI inputs

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1st For An Indian! Kohli Achieves Big Milestone As RCB Enter IPL Playoffs

Star Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Virat Kohli achieved a new record in the Indian Premier League (IPL), becoming the first Indian player to have two seasons with 700-plus runs. Virat accomplished this milestone against RCB's match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Bengaluru. In the game, Virat scored 47 runs in just 29 balls, with three fours and four sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 162.06.

In 14 games this season, Virat leads the run-scoring charts with 708 runs at an average of 64.36 and a strike rate of 155.60. This is his highest strike rate in an IPL season.

Virat had crossed the 700-run mark in 2016 as well, scoring 973 runs in 16 matches at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of over 152, with four centuries and seven fifties.

Virat is the second player overall to reach 700-run mark in a single IPL edition on two or more occasions, with Chris Gayle doing so twice as well. The West Indies legend scored 733 runs in IPL 2012 and 708 runs in IPL 2013.

Virat also ended the league stage of IPL 2024 with 37 sixes, the most by a batter this season. Virat's all-time high tally of sixes in an IPL season was 38 maximums back in 2016.

Virat also continued his fine run of form in the IPL on May 18, a date which has been special for RCB and Virat, since they have won every game ever played on this date. With scores of 56*(29) vs. CSK, Bengaluru (2013), 27*(29) vs CSK, Ranchi (2015), 113(50) vs. Punjab Kings Bengaluru (2016), and 100 (63) against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Hyderabad (2023) on this date, in five innings, he has scored 343 runs at an average of 85.75, with two centuries and a fifty.

Coming to the match, CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (Wk), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (Wk), Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj.

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Score 180, Win By...: RCB's Over-Wise IPL Playoffs Qualification Scenario

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have their fate in their own hands as they take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a bid to qualify for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. With the rain threat also looming large over the fixture, the Bengaluru side's qualification chances aren't as straightforward. RCB's margin of victory needs to be a solid one too, and if, rain comes down pouring, reducing the length of the match, the scenario will get even more complicated. Depending upon the length of the match, the qualification chances would change

RCB have done well in the second half of the campaign, producing 5 wins on the trot to find themselves with a real shot at playoffs qualification. Some of the results that Delhi Capitals, Lucknow Super Giants, and other franchises incurred also helped RCB in their pursuit. But now, the situation is in their hands, provided rain doesn't wash out the game.

In a case where a full 20-over contest is played, RCB would need to win by 18 runs or more, provided they score 200 runs while batting first. In the case of a 5-over contest, RCB would need to restrict CSK to a maximum of 62 runs if they score 80 while batting first.

In a case where there's reduced contest, here's how the qualification scenario would change:

RCB Qualification Scenario for Playoffs in this IPL 2024: pic.twitter.com/k6P9otYZs7

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) May 17, 2024

The washed-out contest between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans made the picture quite clear for RCB. Had GT beaten SRH in that match, two spots in the playoffs would've been up for grabs.

Now, RCB must win the match to have a shot at the last available spot. For CSK, they might still qualify even if they lose. The only condition is that their Net Run-rate must not fall below RCB.

A loss against the Bengaluru side doesn't guarantee elimination for the Super Kings from the playoffs race. Since the Net Run Rate for Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side is better than Faf du Plessis & Co, even a narrow defeat against RCB would be enough to take CSK through.

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IPL 2024: MI End At Bottom Of Points Table With Loss To LSG

Lucknow Super Giants signed off from the IPL 2024 with a 18-run win over Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Mumbai Indians thus finish last in the 10-team table with only 8 points from 14 games. Aided by a 109-run partnership between skipper KL Rahul (55 off 41 balls) and Nicholas Pooran (75 off 29 balls), LSG scored a commendable 214 for 6. The visitors then struck at regular intervals to stop MI at 196 for 6 despite Rohit Sharma's 68 off 38 deliveries and Naman Dhir's reargaurd 62 off 28 balls.

Earlier, Rahul first steadied the innings with Marucs Stoinis (28) after the fall of his opening partner Devdutt Padikkal for a duck and then stitched a century stand with West Indian Pooran, who clobbered eight maximums and five boundaries.

Spinner Piyush Chawla (3/29) and Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thusara (3/28) emerged the most successful Mumbai Indians bowlers, grabbing three wickets each.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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RCB vs CSK: Who Will Reach Playoffs If Mega IPL Clash Is Washed Out?

As the ongoing IPL 2024 inches closer to its culmination, the excitement remains at the pinnacle as five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fight for the final playoff berth in their last league stage encounter. Table toppers Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have already booked their place for the knockout stages but the last team to join them in the playoffs is yet to be ascertained. RCB are on a five-match winning streak after outclassing Delhi Capitals by 47 runs in their previous game. Despite the forgettable start, the Bengaluru-based franchise gained momentum in the middle of the season to stay alive in the title race. With 12 points in 13 matches, RCB are placed sixth in the standings.

RCB need to win the match against CSK to bolster their hopes of a title finish. It is not just a win but by a certain margin to better their net run-rate than the defending champions.

On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Chennai hold 14 points in 13 games and currently occupying fourth spot in the points table. A win against RCB will make them the final team to progress to playoffs.

However, they can still qualify even after losing the match on the basis of net run rate (NRR). CSK need to minimise the losing margin to keep their NRR intact.

There is also a possibility of a washout as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in Chennai on Friday and Saturday (match day).

In case of a washout or a truncated match, the scenarios will favour the hosts more than RCB. Both teams will get a point each in case of no result while if the overs are reduced, RCB will find it difficult to support their NRR even after a win.

Chennai will host Bengaluru at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.

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RCB vs CSK Now Straight Shootout For IPL Playoffs. Lara Picks Favourite

On Saturday, India might come to a standstill. There is every reason to be so. Two of the most followed franchises in the IPL - Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru - will go on against one another for the final spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. For Chennai Super Kings (14 points in 13 matches, NRR +0.528) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (12 points in 13 matches, NRR +0.387), equation is simple with Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and SunRisers Hyderabad already assured of playoff sports. 

RCB must win the match to have a shot at the last available spot. For CSK, they might still qualify even if they lose. The only condition is that their Net Run-rate must not fall below RCB.

Ahead of the match, West Indies batting great Brian Lara predicted an RCB win. 

"Well, it is not just form. I mean RCB has a five-match winning streak right now and no other team has done that this year. They have Virat Kohli, who is in hot form. But the most important thing is that other players are also playing their roles well which is important for the team's success. So I think form is one thing," he said.

"RCB has never won the IPL and they seem to be hungry to win it. This match will help them reach the playoffs. This is a great opportunity, the team's form is good, there is hunger to win and senior players like Du Plessis, Siraj and Virat are also performing well. Then the younger players are coming in, they will miss one or two, the ones who have left. But I believe RCB's momentum as we have seen till now, it will keep taking them forward in this tournament. I have seen them playing live, against CSK, they will definitely win."

RCB have been on an upward curve in the last few games. After winning just one out of their first seven games, RCB are on a five-match winning streak.

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SRH Qualify For IPL 2024 Playoffs After Rain Washes Out Match Against GT

Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday qualified for the Indian Premier League play-offs after rain washed out their IPL match against Gujarat Titans in Hyderabad without a ball being bowled. SRH thus became the third team to make the cut after following Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, who are currently occupying the top two places in the standings. The Sunrisers received one point to take their tally to 15 points with one match to go. They will face Punjab Kings, who have already been eliminated, on May 19 in their last league assignment.

GT, the last year's runners-up and 2022 champions, were knocked out of the play-off race after their previous match was also abandoned due to rain. They thus end the season with 12 points from 14 matches.

The toss didn't happen at scheduled time of 7 pm due to rain and wet outfield. The rain intensified before settling into a steady shower as the covers and outfield stayed covered.

The cut-off time for a five-over game was 10:56 PM, which meant the drizzle needed to stop for mop-up to begin by around 10:15pm but with rain showing no signs of abating, the official decided to abandon the match.

It is the second game to be called off in this IPL, because of rain and wet outfield.

Three teams -- Chennai Super Kings (14), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (12) and Lucknow Super Giants (12) -- are still in fray for the battle for the last spot.

If LSG win against Mumbai Indians on Friday, they will move to 14 points to stay mathematically alive but CSK will seal the spot if they beat RCB or the game is washed out on Saturday.

If RCB beat CSK by at least 18 runs or 11 balls to spare then they will grab the fourth available spot on the basis of net run-rate as they would be on 14 points, same as CSK and LSG (if they win).

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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