This week will witness a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 Indian Premier League playoff race, as the matchup between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is expected to be a virtual elimination match for the last knockout slot. Sunrisers Hyderabad guaranteed their spot in the playoffs on Thursday, leaving just one spot open.
With two of Indian cricket’s titans, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, in the match, the matchup between RCB and CSK is already guaranteed to be a spectacular one. When you add in the high-stakes situation where both teams are vying for a vital playoff place, the intensity of the game rises to unprecedented levels. And based on a video posted on their official social media sites, it appears that CSK has something special in store for the Royal Challengers. Their followers are getting even more excited about this.
The video showed the team’s star wicketkeeper-batter, MS Dhoni, bowling in the nets. Despite suffering a knee injury, Dhoni has participated in every game this season. There have been rumors that this season may be Dhoni’s final one in the competition; if that’s the case, the match against RCB will serve as the former captain of CSK’s final IPL game.
Although they are two points clear of RCB and in fourth place, the Super Kings should be cautious when facing Faf du Plessis’ team. Despite having home advantage, the Royal Challengers have had a phenomenal run of form in recent weeks. Following a dismal start to the season—they lost six of their seven games—RCB pulled off an incredible turnaround and is currently enjoying a five-game winning run.
Since CSK has a greater net run rate than RCB, the latter will need to win in 18.1 overs or by 18 runs (assuming 200 in 20 overs for the first innings). The Super Kings will advance to the playoffs with 15 points if the game is a washout due to the rain threat that is hanging over it.
A swansong for MS Dhoni?
Earlier this week, in Chennai, the former captain of CSK participated in the team’s final group stage encounter. But a victory in Bengaluru will maintain the dream of returning to Chennai; the team’s home stadium will host both the second playoff game and the championship game.
Dhoni has been outstanding this season when it comes to his batting cameos in the latter half of the team’s innings. In 13 games, he has amassed 136 runs at an incredible strike rate of 226.67, with 8 not out.
When the Super Kings defeated the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad to win the title the previous season, Dhoni was captain of the team.
