Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s stunning knock of 84 went in vain as Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Chennai Super Kings in a thriller at Bengaluru on Sunday. The one run win, secured thanks to a last ball run-out from Parthiv Patel, was RCB’s first over CSK since 2014.
The home side made two changes- Heinrich Klaassen dropped out as AB de Villiers returned from concussion, and Umesh Yadav came in for Mohammed Siraj. There were two changes for the visitors as well- MS Dhoni and Dwayne Bravo back in place of Karn Sharma and Sam Billings respectively.
After being sent into bat by CSK skipper Dhoni, RCB lost Virat Kohli for just 9, as Deepak Chahar continued his impressive tournament.
Parthiv Patel and AB De Villiers added 47 runs in 26 balls before Ravi Jadeja got the prize scalp of the former South African star batsman who was caught at long off by compatriot Faf Du Plessis.
Akshdeep Nath and Patel were involved in a 41 run stand for the third wicket, before the former was dismissed for 24.
Wicket keeper Parthiv Patel reached his half century off just 36 balls, but was the next to go, dismissed by Bravo. RCB lost Marcus Stoinis almost immediately afterwards and appeared to be in danger of falling off the tracks before a late cameo from Moeen Ali resurrected their innings.
Ali scored five boundaries in his 26 as the home side posted a competitive 161/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chahar, Jadeja and Bravo bagged 2 wickets each.
Defending 162, Proteas pacer Dale Steyn gave the home side a perfect start as he dismissed Shane Watson and Suresh Raina in the very first over.
Umesh Yadav then got into the act by claiming the wickets of Du Plessis and Kedar Jadhav, as CSK were left wobbling at 28/4.
Ambati Rayudu along with former Indian skipper Dhoni resurrected the innings by adding 55 valuable runs for the 5th wicket before the former was bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal.
Chennai were in further trouble as they lost Ravindra Jadeja who was run out by Navdeep Saini for 11.
However with Dhoni around, there was always a chance for CSK, even as the asking rate kept climbing. The visitors needed 26 from the final over, but Dhoni smashed Umesh Yadav for three sixes and a four to tilt the game in Super Kings’ favour. The hapless Umesh however held his nerve in the final delivery, with Dhoni unable to connect with his wide slower one. Although CSK ran for the bye, Parthiv Patel was alert to the possibility of a run-out and hit the stumps with Shardul Thakur just inches short.
Dale Steyn and Umesh Yadav claimed 2 wickets each, while Saini and Chahal claimed a wicket each.
Parthiv Patel was declared the Man of the Match.
The 40th match of the Indian Premier League will be played between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals at Jaipur on April 22, Monday.