"Am I hallucinating or did RCB just qualify?" - Fans hail RCB on miraculous playoff qualification with 27-run win over CSK in IPL 2024

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off the impossible by winning a sixth consecutive game in the league-stage finale against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on May 18.

RCB were sitting at the bottom of the table with a lone win in eight outings. They then won five straight games to give themselves a chance for an improbable playoff qualification. However, the task was still challenging as the side needed to defeat CSK by 18 or more runs to qualify for the playoffs.

Their spirited comeback continued after posting a massive 218/5 in 20 overs, leaving CSK a target of 201 to eliminate them and advance to the playoffs. And the bowlers took over by striking regularly on a flat pitch with a wet ball to restrict CSK to 191/7 in 20 overs.

The sensational win and the miraculous playoff qualification had fans on Twitter hail RCB after being down and out at the halfway stage of the tournament.

Here are some of the best reactions:

Fans continued to celebrate RCB's miraculous qualification with one saying:

"Finally happy faces on RCB fansss..this will be the best thing for chiKuuu..he will celebrate this thing whole n8..happy for him..I want to see him vt trophy..at very soon..this will be tributed to his son..Akhay..!!!"

"At one Time the qualifying chances of RCB were only 1%. They reached From 1% to 100% by winning 6 consecutive matches in a row," tweeted a fan.

"It’s a lesson for all other team fans who are all mocked #RCB on their losses in first 8 matches now see the result. Never ever mock or insult the team who face failures and same thing in life don’t mock people who face more failures," a fan tweeted.

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"It's really important that we enjoy this" - Faf du Plessis on RCB's win over CSK

RCB skipper Faf du Plessis was overjoyed as his side pulled off an incredible comeback in the second half of the season to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. It came at the expense of arch-rivals CSK.

The 39-year-old top-scored for RCB with a brilliant 39-ball 54 to set up their massive total in the first innings. Faf also completed a magical catch at a crucial stage of CSK's run-chase to dismiss Mitchell Santner.

At the post-match presentation, a delighted Faf du Plessis said:

"What a night. Unbelievable and such a great atmosphere, such a pleasure to finish off the season with a win. Coming here tonight, it was set up nicely, CSK v RCB, unbelievable atmosphere and we as a team will do a lap of honour to thank the crowd for the support.

"It's really important that we enjoy this, great 6 games in a row and the first goal is to get into the knockouts, enjoy this but get back to work tomorrow."

RCB will now await the results of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) matches tomorrow. It will decide which of the two sides they play in the Eliminator on May 22.