What happened the last time RCB played CSK in the IPL at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru?

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are all set to face Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a high-intense encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Saturday, May 18. It’s a must-win match for both teams as they aim to seal the final playoff spot.

CSK and RCB played the first match of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) in Chennai, where the home side emerged victorious. The two sides have squared off 32 times in the IPL, and CSK hold the upper hand with 21 victories as compared to RCB’s 10.

The last time RCB hosted CSK in Bangalore was during the 2023 edition of the IPL. It was a high-scoring encounter as the visitors clinched a thrilling eight-run victory. It all started with RCB winning the toss and putting their opposition to bat first.

CSK’s start to the innings was shaky, as Mohammed Siraj dismissed opener Ruturaj Gaikwad in just the third over. A strong second-wicket partnership between Devon Conway and Ajinkya Rahane helped the visitors sail through the powerplay.

While Rahane departed after scoring 37 off 20 balls, Shivam Dube too was phenomenal as he notched up 52 runs off 27 deliveries. Decent contributions from middle-order batters and Conway’s 83(45) saw CSK finishing at 226/6.

CSK bowlers restrict RCB to win a thriller

At a high-scoring venue like Chinnaswamy, even a 227-run target looked smaller. RCB’s start to the chase was terrible, as Akash Singh and Tushar Deshpande struck in the powerplay and dismissed Virat Kohli and Mahipal Lomror, respectively.

A 126-run third-wicket partnership between skipper Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell then helped the home side get back on track. Maheesh Theekshana finally got the breakthrough when he dismissed the Australian all-rounder, who walked back scoring a quick-fire 36-ball 76.

Moeen Ali dismissing du Plessis in the next over put RCB on the back seat, as the home side’s momentum slowed down. Decent contributions from Dinesh Karthik and Suyash Prabhudesai in the death overs kept RCB’s hopes alive, but they couldn’t cross the finish line.

The game went down the wire, as RCB looked to score 19 runs off the final over but Matheesa Pathirana’s brilliance helped CSK defend the total. Even after being hit for a six, the Sri Lankan pacer picked up a wicket on the last ball to hold RCB to 218/8.

CSK eventually won the game by eight runs.