RCB VS CSK MATCH 68

Right then, we finally have all four playoff spots filled but still, we only know that Kolkata will finish top of the table and Bengaluru fourth. Hyderabad and Rajasthan both have a chance of sealing that crucial second spot which guarantees an extra chance of making it to the final and on the final day of the group stage, both teams will be in action. First, it will be Hyderabad taking on Punjab at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT) in Hyderabad and then, the final game of the group stage will see the top two sides, Rajasthan and Kolkata go head-to-head in Guwahati at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT). You can join us early for the build-up of both those games. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Bengaluru skipper, Faf du Plessis is the Player of the Match for a brilliant knock and a sensational catch as well. Faf says that this is just unbelievable and the atmosphere was amazing and it is nice to to end the league stages in front of their home fans. Adds that after the rain break, the pitch was very tough to play on and it felt like a Day 5 Test pitch in Ranchi. Mentions that he and Virat Kohli were talking all the time and tried to get through that phase. Says that their batters have been contributing well in the last few games and they were trying to defend 175 to give them a cushion but it got close and when MS Dhoni was batting, he was just hoping it goes their way. In a nice gesture, he says that he wants to dedicate this award to Yash Dayal for his amazing bowling under pressure. Ends by saying that their fans have always backed them despite the results and it is important for them to enjoy this moment and then look at the playoffs.

The Presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Chennai won the toss and opted to bowl first on a day where conditions were overcast and there was something in it for the frontline bowlers. However, Bengaluru started on the front foot but there was some rain after the first 3 overs and once the game restarted, the surface changed completely and the ball turned left, right and center but Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis managed to keep ticking and set the platform. They did lose a few wickets in the middle phase but even Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green played top knocks and a couple of small cameos from DK and Glenn Maxwell took the hosts to 218 big runs. On the bowling front, the spinners did well for Chennai but surprisingly Ravindra Jadeja had an off day as he was hit away for plenty of runs and so were the pacers. Mitchell Santner and Maheesh Theekshana bowled very economically but it didn't matter much. Coming to the chase, it went down the wire but the hosts managed to pick up enough wickets which proved to be decisive.

Lockie Ferguson is now down for a quick chat. Lockie says that he isn't sure how to put it into words but it was a team effort and it was difficult to bowl at the death with the ball getting wet and lauds Yash Dayals for the way he bowled. Adds that the nature of bowling here is to keep the batters guessing, there is some pace and bounce but the ball does grip as well like it did in this game. Mentions that the wicket was doing a bit on a length and they knew how good Ravindra Jadeja could hit the yorkers as well.

The Chennai skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad is down for a chat. Gaikwad says that it was gripping a bit for the spinners but 200 was still gettable on this wicket. Adds that they kept losing wickets which cost them and it was just about a couple of big hits that can happen in a T20 game. Tells that not having their best squad for all the games was challenging as they missed Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman and Devon Conway. Mentions that he is still happy with how his side has performed despite of all the challenges and personal milestones does not matter for him but he is also slightly disappointed as they failed to make it to the playoffs.

A bitter pill to swallow for Chennai and maybe this was MS Dhoni's last dance, which we speculate almost every year but he gave it his all and so did the team but they were undone by a few injuries and some great cricket from the opposition in the latter half of the season. Rachin Ravindra had a slim maiden season in the Indian T20 League but he showed his prowess in the big game and alongside Ajinkya Rahane, he steadied the ship after losing two early wickets. Once Rahane fell, Rachin had to go at the bowlers more as Shivam Dube couldn't get going and it all went downhill when Rachin got run out. This triggered a mini collapse and left the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni a lot to do. The dup did hit a few lusty blows but Dhoni getting out on 19.2 was the final nail in the coffin.

What a game this was from the home side, Bengaluru and backed by a vociferous crowd their players stepped up and got the job done. They had the score on the board but only one number mattered and that was 201 and they managed to keep Chennai to 10 runs under that. The hosts did get a fine start with the ball as Glenn Maxwell got Ruturaj Gaikwad on the very first ball and then they got Daryl Mitchell as well. There was resistance in the middle but once again Bengaluru managed to pick up multiple wickets in a short frame of time before almost losing the plot in the final 4 overs. Yash Dayal bowled a pressure final over after both Mohammed Siraj and Lockie Ferguson had gone for plenty in the previous two overs and Dayal conceded a six off the first ball but he stuck to his guns and conceded just one more run, truly re-establishing himself after what happened last season against Rinku Singh, great redemption story for the pacer.

THE MAYHEM IN CHINNASWAMY! An absolute Indian T20 League classic and Bengaluru, against all odds have done the impossible and have somehow pipped Chennai to make it through to the playoffs. The threat of rain loomed large and there was a passing shower as well and Bengaluru needed to make sure they won by at least 18 runs but they have ended up winning by 27 runs and a string of six miraculous wins on the trot sees them seal the fourth and final playoffs berth. Spare a thought for Chennai though who made a roaring comeback in the latter stages and the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni almost snatched victory but it wasn't meant to be and the reigning champions are out of the competition.

Another dot! Yash Dayal has done it! He bangs this one short of a length and outside off again, no pace at all, Ravindra Jadeja goes for the pull but misses again. BENGALURU WIN BY 27 RUNS AND MAKES IT TO THE PLAYOFFS!

Redemption for Yash Dayal! He sticks with his off-pace delivery, full and outside off, Ravindra Jadeja goes through his heave early and misses. Barring a No Ball, the home side will got through to the playoffs now. Yash Dayal and every Bengaluru player start celebrating and Chinnaswamy has gone wild now!

Pitched up and around off, slower once again, Shardul Thakur swings wildly across the line, gets an outside edge towards short third man for a single. Ravindra Jadeja needs to 10 off the last two balls to get his side home.

A crucial dot now! Yash Dayal takes pace off again, short of a length and on off, Shardul Thakur tries to pull but misses. Ravindra Jadeja gets stranded at the other end. Chennai need 11 off 3 now to qualify.

Shardul Thakur walks in to bat next.

OUT! TAKEN! Oh..another twist in the tale! MS Dhoni has to walk back and Yash Dayal gets a huge wicket now. He brings out the slower one again, full and on leg. MS Dhoni tries to go for the big slog but gets a bit of a top edge towards deep square leg, Swapnil Singh settles under it and takes the catch under immense pressure. MS Dhoni will be disappointed as that was there to be put away but he has played a good cameo here.

SIX! OUT OF THE GROUND! New Ball Please! Yash Dayal goes full and around leg, slower too, MS Dhoni picks it up and absolute whips it away over the fine leg fence for a massive maximum. This is out of the stadium. 110 METERS!

Bengaluru basically have just 16 runs to play with in the final over. They have the option to go to either Cameron Green or Yash Dayal for the final over and it will be Yash Dayal who is entrusted to get Bengaluru over the line here. Also, the hosts are behind on the over rate and will have an extra fielder inside the ring.