Cricket

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have defied all odds to secure a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. After a disastrous start to the season, losing seven of their first eight games, RCB embarked on a remarkable six-match winning streak, coupled with favorable results elsewhere, to claim the fourth spot in the points table.RCB's resurgence has been a testament to their resilience and unwavering belief. Despite their early struggles, the team remained determined to turn their fortunes around. The month of May witnessed a dramatic shift in their performance, as they transformed from a struggling side to one of the most formidable teams in the competition.The team's overall run rate has soared from 9.73 to 11.03 since their second win on April 25, making them the best in the league. Their middle-overs batting has also improved significantly, with a run rate of 10.18, the second-best in the competition.RCB's powerplay bowling has been equally impressive. They have taken 16 wickets in this phase since April 25, the most by any team. Their economy rate has also dropped from 10.79 to 8.72, the fourth-best in the league.The team's pace attack, which was heavily criticized in the first half of the season, has also stepped up. They have taken 28 wickets in their last six wins, the second-most by any team. Their economy rate has also improved from 10.66 to 8.79, the best among all teams.RCB's batting has been equally impressive. They have scored 2,758 runs in the league stage, outscoring both Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). They have also scored the most runs through fours and sixes (1,806), and have the third-highest number of fours (216) and second-highest number of sixes (157).Key players like Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, and Will Jacks have all contributed significantly to RCB's success. Kohli has scored 329 runs in six innings since April 25, while Du Plessis has added 182 runs in the same period. Patidar has been in excellent form, scoring 200 runs in five innings, while Green and Jacks have also made valuable contributions.RCB's resurgence has been a remarkable story of determination and belief. They have overcome adversity to secure a spot in the playoffs and will be determined to continue their impressive form in the knockout stages.

Virat Kohli Boasts of Six-Hitting Prowess to Chris GayleIn a heartwarming reunion, former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammates Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle shared a lighthearted moment after RCB's victory over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final league match of the season.Kohli, who has been instrumental in RCB's playoff qualification, couldn't resist bragging about his impressive six-hitting record to Gayle, who holds the all-time record for most sixes in T20 cricket."Maximum sixes this season, yeah!" Kohli exclaimed as he greeted Gayle in a video shared by RCB on social media."How much?" Gayle inquired."37!" replied Kohli, who now holds the record for most sixes in the current season, including four against CSK in the last match. With his knock against Chennai, Virat has also surpassed the 700-run mark this season.The banter continued as Kohli jokingly suggested that Gayle could make a comeback next year under the new Impact Player rule, which allows teams to field an additional player who does not have to bat or bowl."Kaka, come back next year. Impact Player rule is on now. You don't have to field anymore. It's designed for you," Kohli quipped.Kohli also autographed his RCB jersey and presented it to Gayle with a heartfelt message that read: "To Chris (kaka). With love and best wishes."The reunion between the two former teammates brought back fond memories for fans, who witnessed their formidable partnership during their time together at RCB. Kohli's playful banter with Gayle highlighted the camaraderie and respect that exists between the two cricketing legends.

Virat Kohli's unwavering loyalty to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a testament to his unwavering commitment to the franchise. Despite RCB's failure to lift the IPL trophy since 2008, Kohli has remained steadfast in his support, even after leading India to victory in the 2008 U19 World Cup.RCB acquired Kohli for a modest USD 30,000 in the 2008 IPL auction, after he had impressed with his leadership skills in the U19 World Cup. While Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) had the opportunity to bid for Kohli, they opted for left-arm pacer Pradeep Sangwan to strengthen their bowling unit.Over the years, RCB has come close to winning the IPL title, reaching the final thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2016. However, Kohli's loyalty has never wavered, despite the team's shortcomings.In 2008, when RCB was co-owned by Vijay Mallya, the team's remarkable turnaround and qualification for the playoffs prompted Mallya to express his confidence in Kohli and the team. "My inner instinct tells me that RCB have the best chance to go for the IPL Trophy," Mallya had said.Despite a poor start to IPL 2024, RCB has regained momentum, winning six consecutive games to qualify for the playoffs. The team now faces Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator, with a potential Qualifier 2 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad looming. If RCB emerges victorious, they will face Kolkata Knight Riders in the final.Kohli's unwavering loyalty to RCB has become a symbol of his dedication to the franchise and the sport of cricket. His commitment to the team, even during challenging times, has earned him the respect and admiration of fans and fellow players alike.

Shane Watson, the former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) all-rounder, has expressed deep regret over his performance in the 2016 IPL final, where RCB narrowly missed out on the title. Speaking at an event in Bengaluru, Watson apologized to the franchise's fans for his disappointing display.Watson, who joined RCB in 2016 after a successful stint with Rajasthan Royals, had a strong season with the ball, taking 20 wickets in 16 matches. However, his performance in the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad was a major letdown.RCB had a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the 2016 season, making it to the playoffs and ultimately the final. However, their hopes were dashed by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the summit clash, where RCB's bowlers struggled, allowing SRH to post a formidable 208/7 in 20 overs.Watson was notably off his game, conceding 61 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket. His woes continued with the bat, where he managed only 11 runs off 9 balls, contributing to RCB's narrow 8-run defeat."To all the RCB fans here tonight, I need to profusely apologize," Watson said. "The reason why I need to profusely apologize to RCB fans is because of the 2016 IPL final at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. I was prepared as well as I could be. I was hoping to perform my very best, but I had one of the worst performances when it comes to the bowling perspective in the final. And I most probably cost RCB winning that IPL."Watson's candid apology highlights the pressure and emotional investment players have in the game, and his acknowledgment of the fans' disappointment shows his respect and dedication to the sport and its supporters.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis has led his team to a remarkable turnaround in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. After a dismal start, RCB won their last six league matches to secure a place in the playoffs.Du Plessis attributes the team's success to a collective effort and a shift in mindset. He emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting to the high-pressure environment of the IPL.The South African veteran also highlighted the support of the coaching staff, led by Andy Flower and Mo Bobat, who remained optimistic and provided valuable guidance.Du Plessis praised the contributions of individual players, including Will Jacks, who made a significant impact despite the absence of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. He also commended the bowlers, particularly Yash Dayal, for their consistent performances.The captain's leadership and experience played a crucial role in keeping the team together during challenging times. He emphasized the importance of staying calm and positive, even when faced with setbacks.Despite approaching 40 years of age, du Plessis remains highly motivated and dedicated to the game. He attributes his fitness and electric presence on the field to a rigorous training regimen.Regardless of the outcome of the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals, du Plessis expressed immense pride in his team. He praised the players' resilience and the positive atmosphere within the group.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women's team has defied all odds to secure a top-four spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs. After a dismal start to the season, losing seven of their first eight matches, the team has staged a remarkable comeback, winning six consecutive games to qualify for the knockout stage.Shreyanka Patil, a star player for RCB, has been vocal in her response to critics who doubted the team's ability to make the playoffs. In a social media post, she wrote, "There is a 1% chance... and sometimes that is good enough." She urged those who had mocked the team to join the "RCB train" for a "crazy ride."RCB's resurgence has been fueled by a collective effort from the entire team. Wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik, who has been a key figure in the team's success, gave a passionate speech in the dressing room after their victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK)."People will always remember certain journeys," Karthik said. "The way we have come back after eight games, we needed to win six, people will remember this team."Karthik emphasized the significance of RCB's achievement, stating that it will inspire other teams in the future. "Every year in this tournament, when you hit the seven-game mark, there will be one or two teams which would have probably won one or two and they will look to us and say, 'RCB did it. That was special. We are going to try and repeat what RCB did'."RCB's next challenge will be the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals. The winner of that match will face the loser of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2. The winner of Qualifier 2 will then square off against the finalist (winner of Qualifier 1) for the title.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) disappointing exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has sparked controversy over the alleged lack of respect shown to MS Dhoni by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players.Following CSK's elimination, Dhoni's future in the IPL remains uncertain. However, the incident involving RCB players has drawn criticism from former cricketers and experts. It was initially claimed that RCB players "over-celebrated" their playoff progression, prompting Dhoni to return to the dressing room without shaking hands.However, a video has emerged on social media contradicting this narrative. A fan claimed that Dhoni did not wait long before deciding to return to the dressing room, refuting accusations that RCB players were disrespectful.The incident has sparked a debate about the importance of sportsmanship and respect in the game. Harsha Bhogle and Michael Vaughan, renowned commentators, expressed their disappointment with RCB players' behavior."If there ever was a time for a group of players to show awareness... We don't know but if that was MS Dhoni's last game and those players have run around the ground doing handstands when all they need is to wait and meet the legend. We have to just go and shake his hands and then we can do a few cartwheels and handstands. That's absolutely fine," said Vaughan.Bhogle emphasized the significance of the post-match handshake as a symbol of respect and sportsmanship. "It doesn't matter. You win a World Cup final, you display your emotions, but you still shake hands with the opposition. That handshake is symbolic of the fact that (two teams are saying) 'now, our antagonism is over. We did not give an inch to each other. Now it's over,'" he said.While some fans have defended RCB players, arguing that they were caught up in the moment, others have condemned their actions as disrespectful. The incident has highlighted the importance of maintaining sportsmanship and respect in the competitive world of professional sports.

RCB Snatch Victory from CSK in Thrilling IPL 2024 Playoff RaceIn a nail-biting encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged victorious over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 27 runs, securing their spot in the playoffs of IPL 2024.Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal played a pivotal role in RCB's triumph, holding his nerve in the final over to deny CSK a crucial win. With CSK needing 17 runs off the last six deliveries, Dayal conceded only 10 runs, including a crucial wicket of MS Dhoni.Earlier, CSK had set a challenging target of 209 for RCB, thanks to a blistering 93-run partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Dhoni. Jadeja smashed 62 off 45 balls, while Dhoni contributed 54 off 38 deliveries.RCB's chase got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets in the powerplay. However, a 66-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell steadied the innings. Kohli top-scored with 56 off 42 balls, while Maxwell chipped in with 32 off 24 deliveries.With RCB needing 34 runs off the last three overs, Dhoni's towering six off Dayal in the penultimate over brought CSK back into the game. However, Dayal's composure under pressure proved decisive, as he dismissed Dhoni in the final over and sealed the victory for RCB.Dayal's heroics earned him the Player of the Match award, while Kohli's tactical instructions to bowl a slower ball to Dhoni became a viral moment on social media.RCB's victory eliminated CSK from the tournament, while RCB will now face Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's illustrious IPL career came to a disappointing end as his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were eliminated from the 2024 season after a 27-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).CSK needed to score over 201 to qualify for the playoffs and came tantalizingly close, with Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja launching a fierce assault towards the end. However, RCB pacer Yash Dayal, who had been hit for five consecutive sixes by KKR's Rinku Singh in IPL 2023, held his nerve and sealed the thrilling win for RCB.Dhoni, who has guided CSK to five IPL titles, was visibly dejected after the match. Coming in at No. 8, he scored 25 runs off 13 balls, including three fours and a six, but Dayal's dismissal of Dhoni crushed CSK's hopes of progressing to the playoffs.Despite the disappointing end to the season, Dhoni's performance in IPL 2024 was commendable. He scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.54, showcasing his ability to adapt to the demands of the T20 format.After the match, RCB's young spinner Mayank Dagar approached Dhoni with a bat, requesting an autograph. Dhoni happily obliged, and Dagar shared the heartwarming video on his social media account.The defeat marked the end of an era for CSK, as Dhoni's future in the IPL remains uncertain. However, his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time will endure.