Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis pulled off an incredible one-handed catch to dismiss Mitchell Santner during the IPL 2024 clash against Chennai Super Kings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, May 18.
The dismissal took place on the last ball of the 15th over when Mitchell Santner back lofted a low full toss delivery off Mohammed Siraj's delivery and Faf du Plessis, who stationed himself at mid-off, leapt into action. With precision timing, RCB skipper overstretched his right to snatch the ball in air.
Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj, Cameron Green and other RCB players rushed towards du Plessis to celebrate the sensational catch. The entire team was left in awe by Plessis's catch and the Bengaluru crowd erupted in joy.
Chennai Super Kings were at 129/6 after Santner's dismissal and Ravindra Jadeja was joined by MS Dhoni at the crease to carry on the visitors' innings.
Although CSK were in a tough spot, needing 90 runs off 30 balls to win, they aimed to ensure that RCB won by 17 or fewer runs to secure a top-four finish based on their net run-rate (NRR) and qualify for the playoffs.
Jadeja and Dhoni put the best of their efforts to accumulate runs and maintain higher run rate than RCB. The pair formed a 71-run stand for the seventh wicket until MS Dhoni was dismissed for 25 off 13 balls.
MS Dhoni's dismissal shifted the momentum of the game towards RCB. When Royal Challengers Bengaluru needing to defend 10 runs off the last 2 balls to surpass Chennai Super Kings' NRR, Yash Dayal bowled two dot ball deliveries to help team successfully qualify for the playoffs.
Chennai Super Kings were restricted to 191/7 in 20 overs, with Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 42 off 22 balls. Rachin Ravindra played a brilliant innings of 61 off 27 balls but ultimately his effort went in vain.
RCB finish fourth in the league stage
Royal Challengers Bengaluru qualified for the playoffs for the second time since 2021 after finishing fourth in the league stage after defeating Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 clash in Bengaluru.
In the last IPL season, Faf du Plessis failed to qualify for the playoffs as they finished sixth in the league stage with seven wins and as many losses in their 14 outings.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a disastrous start to their IPL 2024 campaign as they lost six matches on the trot in seven outings, but managed to turn the game around to make a sensational comeback with six successive wins in the second half of the season to make it to the knockout stage of the tournament.
RCB will play in the Eliminator round against the third-placed team in the league stage of the ongoing IPL season.
