The tournament is proudly supported by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation
sports2 days ago
Skipper Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli hit key knocks to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru seal the last play-off spot in the Indian Premier League with a 27-run win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.
Bengaluru posted 218-5 after Du Plessis, who hit 54, and Kohli, who smashed 47, laid the foundations for the total in a rain-hit innings at their home M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Chennai were held to 191-7 in reply and with both sides level on 14 points. Bengaluru went through to the play-offs on a better run-rate after a sixth win in a row.
"What a night! Such a great atmosphere," player of the match Du Plessis, who did a lap of honour with his team for the home fans, said. "Just a pleasure to finish the season in front of the home crowd with a win."
Bengaluru will now play in the eliminator on Wednesday in Ahmedabad.
Table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already made the play-offs, which will begin with the first qualifier on Tuesday in Ahmedabad.
The final is on May 26 in Chennai.
Rachin Ravindra hit 61 before Ravindra Jadeja, who made an unbeaten 42, and old warhorse M.S. Dhoni (25) gave Bengaluru a scare in a stand of 61 as Chennai fell short of the qualification mark.
The match could be Dhoni's last IPL outing as a player and also the final face-off between him and Kohli -- two legends of Indian cricket.
Dhoni, 42, was widely expected to retire after he led the team to a record-equalling fifth title last year, but vowed to come back for one more season after a knee operation.
Dhoni handed over the Chennai captaincy ahead of the season to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who won the toss and elected to field first in the virtual knockout for the final play-off place.
"Happy with the seven wins, couldn't get over the line though," said a disappointed Gaikwad.
Kohli, who leads the batting chart with 708 runs, and Du Plessis started on the offensive before rain halted their charge after the third over and suddenly the ball began to turn once play resumed.
Both openers waded their way through Chennai's spin charge from Maheesh Theekshana and Mitchell Santner as Kohli hit a couple of sixes.
New Zealand's Santner, a left-arm spinner, denied Kohli his fifty and got Du Plessis run out through a deflection from his finger at the non-strikers end.
Rajat Patidar, who hit 41, and Cameron Green, who struck an unbeaten 17-ball 38, then steadied the ship and hit back in a partnership of 71 off 28 balls.
Bengaluru returned strong with the ball and Glenn Maxwell struck on the first ball to send back Gaikwad for a duck.
Fast bowler Yash Dayal had Daryl Mitchell caught by Kohli to dent their chase.
But it was Du Plessis who pulled off a stunning one-handed airborne grab at mid-off to send back Santner.
Jadeja and Dhoni raised hopes of a turnaround as Chennai needed 17 off the last over to qualify but Dayal kept his calm to dismiss Dhoni and then gave away just one run.
RCB join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the playoffs starting next week.
Chennai Super Kings ended their campaign with 14 points in 14 matches. However, their net run rate was lower to RCB and as a resuls the defending champions are out of the tournament.
Other teams eliminated are Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.
Brief scores
Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 218 for 5 wickets in 20 overs ( Kohli 47, du Plessis 54, Patidar 41, Green 38*; Thakur 2-61)
Chennai Super Kings: 218-5 in 20.0 (Ravindra 61, Rahane 33, Kadeja 42, Dhoni 24; Dayal 2-42)
Chennai Super Kings won the toss and decided to field
Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Playing on Sunday, May 19
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings
Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Time: 2:00 p, UAE
Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders
Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Time: 6:00 pm UAE
The tournament is proudly supported by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and sanctioned by the Emirates Golf Federation
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