Yuzvendra Chahal spun a web before another brilliant chase from Virat Kohli handed Bangalore a double chance
Kohli's ridiculous form sends RCB to play-offs
Match in a tweet: Kohli does it again! Captain cool guides RCB to a tricky chase of 138 with another half-century and in the process secures a double chance in the play-offs.
The hero: We decided to give AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli a break from this title, instead nominating the Royal Challengers leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal the hero tag. Introduced in the power play, Chahal dismissed Karun Nair trying to hit over the top in the sixth over and then got rid of Sanju Samson with a lovely top-spinner. Chahal ended with figures of 3-32 and in the process became the tournament's leading wicket taker. Importantly for Bangalore, his probing spell restricted the Daredevils to a below-par total of 138.
The support cast: He might have missed on the 'hero' tag but Kohli was still influential in swinging the game in his team's favour. Kohli was able to negotiate the probing spell from Zaheer Khan and Chris Morris with ease before finding his groove to share a crucial 67-run stand with KL Rahul (38 from 21). Crucially, Kohli remained unbeaten on 54 from 46 balls to take his team into the play-offs.
The Aussie pack: Shane Watson took 0-27 from his four overs before scoring 14 from 18 balls with the bat.
The controversy: You need the rub of the green to win knockout matches. Unfortunately for Daredevils, all the marginal decisions seem to go against them. First, Sanju Samson (17 from 12) was adjudged caught behind when there seemed to be daylight between bat and ball. Few overs later, it looked like Yuzvendra Chahal had overstepped the mark while having De Kock caught on the boundary, but once again the umpire ruled in RCB's favour.
The ‘Gayle’ show: The big Jamaican didn’t shine with the bat but he instrumental with the ball and in the field. Introduced into the attack in the 13th over, Gayle first removed Pawan Negi (6 from 12) before removing danger-man Carlos Brathwaite for one in the same over. To top it off, Gayle pulled off a stunning catch diving full stretch to his left to send Sam Billings packing.
The missed chance: Batting on eight, de Kock was given a life when Chris Jordan dived spectacularly to his left but failed to hold on to a tough chance. The replays later showed Jordan was late to move and perhaps could have made the ground a lot easier. De Kock carried on to score a further 52 runs, but fortunately for the Royal Challengers, he was the lone star for Delhi.
The consolation act: Quinton De Kock had already shown his liking for the Bangalore attack earlier this season, scoring a brilliant hundred. Tonight he once again, looked in ominous form racing out the blocks with series of beautifully timed shots. De Kock reached his half-century from just 43 balls but just as he looked to put the foot on the pedal he kept running out of partners. De Kock can count himself slightly unfortunate (see above) to be dismissed for finely composed 60.
The wash up: Royal Challengers not only secured a play-off spot but also managed to climb into second spot to ensure they have a double chance in the finals. Delhi’s season comes to an end but they deserve all the praise for fighting it out until their final match.
The next-stop: Royal Challengers now take on Gujarat Lions on Tuesday in Bangalore with the winner proceeding straight to the final next Sunday. In the elimination match, David Warner’s Sunrisers go head to head against the Kolkata Knight riders.