When Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished bottom of the standings after winning only one of their first seven games, the calculators were out early this season. Their fate had been entrusted to other forces after a forgettable start. However, the three-time runner-up orchestrated an incredible comeback in the second half of the 2024 Indian Premier League, winning five straight games to reclaim control of their destiny.
At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, RCB defeated a Delhi Capitals team without Rishabh Pant by 47 runs to climb up to fifth place in the points table and put themselves in position to accomplish something that seemed unlikely only a month ago. After going out in 2023, they still have a game left to play, against the reigning champion Chennai Super Kings at home. If they win (by a specific margin to avoid a struggle on net run rate), they might advance to the next round.
RCB amassed 187 for nine in 20 overs thanks to a solid performance of 52 runs off 32 balls from Rajat Patidar, who was well backed by Will Jacks in his 29-ball 41. This came after early exits of skipper Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli. Delhi’s top order appeared apathetic in the face of this, losing four wickets in the first four overs. Axar Patel, the interim captain, did put up a fight with his heroic 39-ball 57, but he was outmatched as the visitors were folded for 141 with five balls remaining.
Anushka Sharma, a Bollywood actress and Kohli’s wife, was in the stands for the entire match and was overjoyed when the final wicket fell, with Yash Dayal hitting the leg stump to dismiss Kuldeep Yadav. Her only response was to say “Thank God” that RCB was still in the running for the playoffs.
RCB’s current winning streak of five games in a row this season is now tied for second highest in the IPL. They had written a comparable story in 2009 and 2016, making it to the championship game in both instances. However, their greatest run came in 2011 when they advanced to the summit clash after winning seven straight games.
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