Cricket

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a thrilling victory over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, booking their spot in the playoffs. The match was marked by intense competition and a controversial incident involving Virat Kohli.RCB, led by Faf du Plessis, displayed exceptional aggression throughout the CSK innings. Each wicket was celebrated with fervor, and the fielding efforts were commendable. However, a moment of contention arose when RCB players questioned the umpire's decision regarding a no-ball by Lockie Ferguson to Rachin Ravindra. Du Plessis and Kohli argued that the slippery ball was the cause, a complaint they had raised earlier.Despite du Plessis' departure, Kohli continued to engage with the umpire, prompting criticism from former CSK player Matthew Hayden. "There's way too much interjection from Virat Kohli. He is not the captain and he should not be in those conversations with the umpire," Hayden remarked.Meanwhile, former India batter Ambati Rayudu expressed his belief that RCB are the favorites in the upcoming Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals. He cited RCB's six-match winning streak and clinical performance against CSK as reasons for his prediction."I think RCB are clear favorites for me, because of the way they are playing and they've had a clinical game against CSK," Rayudu said. "For RR, I don't know if this gap in play will help. This washout would help them in going into an eliminator against RCB who I feel right now are a matured side and every player over there knows his role."

Swapnil Singh, the Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder, has had a remarkable journey in cricket. His recent impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a testament to his dedication and perseverance.Born in Lucknow, Swapnil began his cricketing journey in Baroda, where he made his Ranji debut at the tender age of 14. His father, his first coach, played a pivotal role in shaping his passion for the sport.Swapnil's connection with Virat Kohli dates back to their U15 and U19 days, where they shared a room during tours. Their bond remains strong, as evidenced by their warm reunion after many years.Swapnil's IPL journey began with Mumbai Indians in 2008, but his league debut came with Punjab Kings in 2017. He fondly recalls his first IPL encounter, where he dismissed MS Dhoni.A setback came in 2020 when Swapnil was dropped from the Baroda team despite consistent performances. However, this adversity led to a new opportunity in Uttarakhand, thanks to the support of Irfan Pathan.Swapnil's return to the IPL was facilitated by Deepak Hooda, who invited him to join Lucknow Super Giants as a net bowler. His impressive performance caught the attention of coaches Andy Flower and Narendra Hirwani.After impressing at a trials-cum-camp organized by RCB, Swapnil was selected for the team. He described the emotional moment when he was informed of his selection by his family.Throughout his journey, Swapnil has remained dedicated, treating each net session as a match. His efforts were rewarded with a chance to play and contribute to RCB's successful campaign.Swapnil's story is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, dedication, and the support of loved ones.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have defied all odds to qualify for the Playoffs of IPL 2024, securing a thrilling 27-run victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their final league stage match.After a dismal start to the season, losing seven out of their first eight games, RCB staged a remarkable turnaround in the second half, winning six consecutive matches to seal a Playoffs berth. In their must-win clash against CSK, RCB posted a formidable 218/5, thanks to a blistering 73 from Virat Kohli and a crucial 52 from Dinesh Karthik.In response, CSK needed to restrict RCB to 201 or less to qualify for the Playoffs. However, RCB's bowlers held their nerve, led by Harshal Patel's 3/35 and Josh Hazlewood's 2/39. Despite a valiant effort from Ambati Rayudu (79), CSK fell short by 27 runs, finishing on 191/7.The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among the RCB players and fans, who took a lap around their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. In a heartwarming moment, Kohli was seen urging the crowd to cheer for Karthik, who was dancing with pacer Mohammed Siraj.RCB skipper Faf du Plessis hailed the team's resilience and praised the performance of young pacer Yash Dayal, who bowled the final over and conceded only 10 runs. "Unbelievable and such a great atmosphere," said du Plessis. "I dedicate this Man of the Match to Yash Dayal. The way he bowled was unbelievable."With this victory, RCB have secured the fourth spot in the points table and will face the fifth-placed team in the Eliminator match on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Virat Kohli's batting has been under scrutiny despite his impressive run-scoring form in IPL 2024. However, the RCB batter silenced critics with a blistering 47 off 29 balls against Chennai Super Kings, propelling his team to the playoffs.Kohli's innings was a masterclass in pacing and execution. He started cautiously, building a solid foundation for RCB's chase. As the innings progressed, he accelerated his scoring rate, hitting boundaries at will. His strike rate of 162.07 was a testament to his aggressive intent.Legendary Indian batter Virender Sehwag lauded Kohli's performance, stating that it was a joy to witness him perform at his best. "He gave an amazing start to RCB," Sehwag said. "He has batted amazingly. Virat Kohli has done what he is known for. Today he has shown that he is a big player in big matches."Kohli's innings was not the only highlight for RCB. Young pacer Yash Dayal emerged as a key performer, dismissing MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja in quick succession to seal the victory. RCB captain Faf Du Plessis awarded Dayal the Man of the Match award, praising his exceptional bowling."The way he bowled was unbelievable," Du Plessis said. "For a man who's fairly new, he deserves it. [on what he told Dayal before the last over] Pace off is the best option on this pitch and trust your skills and enjoy, this is what you trained for."RCB's victory was a testament to their collective effort. Kohli's batting brilliance, Dayal's bowling prowess, and Du Plessis's astute captaincy combined to secure a crucial win and a berth in the playoffs.

Uncapped Indian pacer Yash Dayal has emerged as a hero for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) after his stellar performance in the team's victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK), securing their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs. Dayal's exceptional bowling in the final over earned him the Player of the Match award, which was dedicated to him by RCB skipper Faf du Plessis.Dayal's journey with RCB has not been without its challenges. After being acquired by the franchise in last year's auction, he faced criticism and skepticism about his place in the team. However, Dayal remained determined to prove his worth, stating, "I didn't want to prove people wrong, I just had to prove myself."RCB's unwavering support has been instrumental in Dayal's success. "RCB told me from day 1 that I'm an important player for them," he said. "They've backed me to the core, and the results you're seeing now are due to their backing and trusting on me."In the match against CSK, Dayal was initially not scheduled to bowl the 20th over. However, a strategic decision by du Plessis and Dinesh Karthik led to a change of plan. Dayal admitted to feeling nervous, especially after conceding five sixes to Rinku Singh in a previous match."After what happened to me last time, there was nervousness," Dayal said. "But I have done well in the past, I have done well after that, so all that was running through my mind was to deliver a good ball. I didn't want to look at the scoreboard or the result. I just wanted to bowl well. I was confident with my execution."Dayal's resilience and determination have paid off, and he has become a valuable asset for RCB. His performance in the playoffs will be crucial as the team aims to secure the IPL title.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have secured a berth in the IPL 2024 playoffs after a thrilling victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday. However, the match was marred by unsavory incidents both on and off the field.RCB's win sparked wild celebrations inside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, but the players were criticized for not shaking hands with MS Dhoni, who may have played his last game for CSK. Dhoni, 42, had led CSK to a record-equalling fifth IPL title last year but had hinted at retirement after the season.Outside the stadium, RCB supporters were accused of heckling CSK fans during their victory celebrations. In one viral video, a CSK fan was manhandled by RCB supporters.Despite the post-match controversies, RCB's performance on the field cannot be denied. After losing seven of their first eight matches, they have won six consecutive games to secure a playoff spot.CSK, on the other hand, failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Dhoni, who handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the season, played a crucial role in CSK's campaign, adding 61 runs for the seventh wicket with Ravindra Jadeja. However, his dismissal by Yash Dayal swung the game in RCB's favor.The Qualifier 2 and the final of this year's IPL are scheduled to be held at Chepauk, CSK's home ground. Fans had hoped to see Dhoni and his team lift the trophy in front of their home crowd, but that dream was dashed by their failure to reach the playoffs.

Virat Kohli Congratulates Chris Gayle on Record-Breaking Sixes in IPL 2024Former West Indies opener Chris Gayle, known for his monstrous sixes during his playing days, received a warm welcome from his former teammate Virat Kohli after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their spot in the IPL 2024 playoffs.Upon Gayle's arrival in the RCB dressing room, Kohli immediately informed him that he had become the player with the most sixes in the ongoing IPL season. "Maximum sixes this season, yeah!," Kohli exclaimed in a video shared by RCB on social media.Gayle, who played for RCB from 2011 to 2017, was visibly surprised and asked, "How much?" Kohli proudly replied, "37!"Kohli's four sixes in his 29-ball 47 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) took his tally of sixes in the season to 37. He now has 708 runs to his credit in 14 innings and holds the Orange Cap as the edition's top run-getter.RCB's victory over CSK in a do-or-die match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru secured their place in the IPL playoffs. They will now face third-placed Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.Kohli's playful banter with Gayle continued as he teased him about becoming RCB's 'Impact Player' in the next IPL season. "Kaka, come back next year. Impact Player rule is on now. You don't have to field anymore. It's designed for you," Kohli joked, referring to Gayle's reluctance to run on the field during his playing career.Kohli autographed his RCB jersey and gifted it to Gayle with the message: "To Chris (kaka). With love and best wishes."

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a thrilling 27-run victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday, securing their spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. The victory marked RCB's sixth consecutive win of the season, igniting jubilant celebrations both inside and outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium.At the heart of the celebrations was Virat Kohli, the marquee batter who led the team's charge to the playoffs. Kohli's emotions were evident as tears welled up in his eyes, capturing the significance of the moment for the team and its fans.Kohli's reaction was captured by a fan sitting near the boundary rope, providing a glimpse into the raw emotions of the victory. The video shows Kohli jubilantly celebrating, his aggression and passion on full display.The victory was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Kohli and Faf du Plessis started the innings on the offensive, hitting a couple of sixes before rain halted their charge. After the resumption, Kohli and du Plessis faced a spin challenge from Maheesh Theekshana and Mitchell Santner.Despite the spin threat, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green steadied the ship, forming a crucial partnership of 71 off 28 balls. Bengaluru's bowlers then took control, with Glenn Maxwell striking on the first ball to dismiss Gaikwad for a duck. Yash Dayal and du Plessis also played key roles in restricting CSK's chase.In the end, it was Dayal who kept his calm in the final over, dismissing Dhoni and giving away just one run to secure the victory. The win was a collective effort, with each player contributing to the team's success.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has emerged as the phoenix of IPL 2024, rising from the ashes of a dismal start to secure a playoff berth. After losing seven of their first eight matches, RCB has staged a remarkable comeback, winning six consecutive games to finish fourth on the points table.Virat Kohli, RCB's icon and the league's leading run-getter with 708 runs, has been instrumental in this resurgence. However, the batting legend remains focused on the upcoming Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, which will determine their fate in the tournament."We gotta focus on the next one," Kohli said. "God's got a plan. You just need to be honest with what you are doing. I think we were pretty honest with our hard work and we got the rewards."RCB's turnaround has been nothing short of extraordinary. No other team has ever recovered from such a poor start to reach the playoffs. Their success has been built on a collective effort, with contributions from the entire squad.Faf du Plessis, the team's captain, has provided stability at the top of the order, while Glenn Maxwell and Dinesh Karthik have been explosive in the middle overs. The bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Harshal Patel, has also been impressive, restricting opponents to low scores.Despite their recent success, RCB remains hungry for more. They have yet to win the IPL title, and they will be determined to end their wait in this edition. The Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals will be a crucial test, but if they can maintain their current form, they have a real chance of reaching the final.