CHAPTER 100: THE ROAD TO THE TROPHY

The league stage had ended, and only four teams remained in contention for the IPL trophy. The battles ahead wouldn’t just be about talent—they would be about strategy, execution, and resilience under pressure.

RCB had qualified in the top two, giving them an advantage in the playoffs. But their journey wasn’t easy. With rivals like CSK, MI, and KKR in the mix, every decision from Raj—both as a leader and a player—would be crucial in determining RCB’s fate.

The Points Table Standings after the league stage:

Rank

Team

Matches

Wins

Losses

Points

NRR

1

RCB

14

10

4

20

+0.79

2

CSK

14

9

5

18

+0.62

3

MI

14

8

6

16

+0.55

4

KKR

14

8

6

16

+0.48

RCB & CSK battle in Qualifier 1 – Winner reaches the Final; loser gets a second chance.

MI & KKR face off in Eliminator – Winner advances to Qualifier 2; loser is eliminated.

Raj scanned the tournament standings, knowing that the next few matches would define legacies.

"We got here with consistency. Now, we finish this properly."

The sun had begun its descent over the packed stadium, bathing the field in a golden glow as the players walked out for the biggest showdown yet—Qualifier 1: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Chennai Super Kings. The tension in the air was palpable, a mix of excitement and nerves as fans, analysts, and cricketing legends all turned their focus toward this match that would decide who books a direct berth in the IPL Final.

RCB, having topped the table, had been one of the strongest sides throughout the season, showcasing a blend of precise batting, calculated bowling, and Raj’s strategic leadership. On the other side was the mighty CSK, a team that had perfected the art of navigating high-pressure games over the years, thanks in no small part to their legendary captain, MS Dhoni.

Raj knew that CSK wasn’t just another opponent—they were a team built for moments like these. They wouldn’t crumble under pressure. In fact, they would thrive in it, making them one of the most dangerous sides to face in a playoff battle. This wasn’t just a game of talent—it was a clash of philosophies.

Would RCB’s aggressive yet measured cricket outplay CSK’s patient, calculated dominance? The answer would unfold over the next few hours.

RCB’s Approach – A Tactical Battle From the Start

Raj stood near the dugout, arms folded, watching as his bowlers warmed up. He had spent hours studying CSK’s patterns—not just their statistics, but their mentality.

RCB’s game plan revolved around three key pillars:

Early wickets in the powerplay – CSK had built their batting strategy around setting up a stable foundation before launching an aggressive finish

. RCB needed to break that foundation early.

Spin pressure in the middle overs – CSK’s batters were exceptional against pace, but their approach against spin was slower and more calculated. Raj wanted tight, disciplined spin bowling between overs 7-15 to keep them in check.

Anticipate Dhoni’s finishing phase – The biggest mistake teams made against CSK was underestimating their last five overs. RCB wouldn’t make that mistake—they had planned for Dhoni’s aggressive finish, ensuring that the final overs wouldn’t turn into a nightmare.

The toss was crucial, and as Dhoni and Raj walked out for the coin flip, every spectator held their breath. Would the winner choose to bat first or chase? Would the game be dictated by the dew factor or the scoreboard pressure?

The Toss – CSK Wins & Elects to Bat First

The coin flipped in the air, spun a few times, and landed in favor of CSK. Dhoni didn’t hesitate.

"We’ll bat first."

Raj nodded slightly, unfazed. He had anticipated this decision. CSK always preferred batting first in high-pressure games, ensuring they controlled the scoreboard dynamics instead of reacting to them.

RCB’s bowlers jogged toward the pitch, taking their final warm-up deliveries, while CSK’s openers—Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway—adjusted their gloves and helmets, ready to execute their side’s approach.

CSK’s batting strategy wasn’t about reckless hitting—they were one of the most structured teams in the league, ensuring that every over was used to build toward a bigger final total. Their plan centered on:

Controlled stroke play in the first six overs – CSK didn’t believe in unnecessary powerplay risks. They aimed for stability first, acceleration second.

Utilizing their middle order for anchor-play – Players like Shivam Dube and Moeen Ali ensured that CSK never faced a collapse scenario.

A brutal finish orchestrated by Dhoni himself – If CSK reached the final five overs with wickets in hand, the result would be fireworks.

RCB had to disrupt this flow at every stage. And Raj was ready to ensure that happened.

MATCH STARTS – A loud roar from the 70,000+ fans echoed through the arena as CSK’s openers stepped onto the pitch. Conway took his mark, tapping the bat twice against the ground, while Gaikwad stood near the non-striker’s end, surveying the field placements.

Raj signaled to his lead pacer—Mohammad Siraj. He had been RCB’s powerplay specialist, and today, his role was to break CSK’s foundation early.

Siraj charged in, delivering a sharp outswinger, aimed perfectly outside off-stump.

Gaikwad watched carefully, adjusting his stance, then guided the ball softly toward deep third man.

Single taken.

Commentary:"Siraj is charging in with serious intent—RCB knows early wickets will dictate this match!"

The next ball came in fast—fuller length, swinging toward the stumps.

Conway reacted quickly, driving it beautifully through covers.

FOUR RUNS.

RCB’s fielders adjusted, cutting off his scoring angles for the next few deliveries.

Overs 2-4 – CSK Builds Momentum

CSK wasn’t forcing shots—they were reading the pitch, adjusting accordingly.

Conway played a textbook square-cut for another boundary in the third over, while Gaikwad continued rotating strike efficiently.

Commentary:"CSK’s batters are finding those crucial scoring areas, but RCB are keeping things tight!"

By the end of over 4, CSK had reached 28/0, maintaining a steady rhythm without taking excessive risks.

Overs 5-6 – The Final Phase of the Powerplay

Siraj returned for his second spell, knowing that this was the last chance for RCB to force an early mistake.

First ball—short, rising sharply toward Gaikwad’s chest.

Gaikwad misread the bounce, tapping it toward square leg.

Dot ball.

Next ball—fuller length, aiming at the off-stump.

Gaikwad stepped forward, pushed the ball toward mid-wicket, and sprinted.

Quick single.

CSK had survived the powerplay without losing a wicket, but RCB’s bowlers had kept them from outright dominance.

Powerplay Summary (Overs 1-6)

CSK – 48/0

Conway – 25(16), 3 fours*

Gaikwad – 20(20), 2 fours*

RCB searching for a breakthrough!

Commentary:"CSK have managed to avoid early damage, but the middle overs will test their discipline against RCB’s spinners!"

The powerplay had ended, and CSK stood at 48 for no loss after six overs, executing their typical structured approach. They hadn’t taken unnecessary risks, ensuring they had a foundation to build upon in the next phase. But Raj knew this was the moment where RCB needed to take charge.

CSK had timed their innings perfectly so far—not too aggressive, not too slow—but now they had to face RCB’s biggest strength: spin control in the middle overs. Unlike their previous opponents, RCB had one of the most disciplined spin attacks in the tournament, featuring Glenn Maxwell and Karn Sharma, both known for disrupting batting rhythm.

"This is where we stall them," Raj said to his teammates in the dugout.

The players stepped into position as Maxwell prepared to bowl the seventh over.

Unlike teams that relied on pure aggression, CSK’s middle-over strategy was built around structured batting movements, ensuring they didn’t crumble under pressure.

Rotation-heavy batting approach – CSK didn’t chase boundaries immediately; instead, they built momentum with singles and doubles first.

Targeting specific bowlers rather than attacking blindly – If Maxwell bowled tight, CSK wouldn’t take risks against him. They would wait for overs where they could score easier runs.

Using partnerships instead of individual stroke play – CSK believed in building partnerships rather than relying on solo efforts, ensuring stability.

RCB had to counter this structured approach by forcing risks.

Maxwell fired in the first ball—flatter trajectory, drifting toward middle and off-stump.

Conway read it early, stepped forward, and tapped it toward deep point.

Single taken.

Next ball—slower flight, forcing Gaikwad onto the back foot.

Gaikwad hesitated, mistiming his shot.

Dot ball.

Commentary:"Maxwell is starting tight! CSK can’t afford too many dots here!"

The third delivery arrived—quicker, sliding toward leg stump.

Gaikwad attempted a flick shot—but misjudged it!

Caught at deep mid-wicket—OUT!

CSK – 62/1 (7.5 overs)

Gaikwad OUT for 27 (24)

Conway still batting at 31 (21)

Commentary:"That is HUGE for RCB! Gaikwad was timing his innings well, but Maxwell’s bowling forced the mistake!"

The stadium erupted in cheers as RCB’s fielders closed in tightly, ensuring CSK didn’t settle easily. RCB had successfully stalled their run flow.

CSK wasn’t a team that collapsed after one wicket. They brought in Shivam Dube, who had been one of their strongest middle-order performers this season. His goal was simple—absorb the pressure for two overs, then accelerate when the moment was right.

Commentary:"Dube is the perfect batter for CSK’s structure—he doesn’t panic under spin pressure!"

RCB adjusted their bowling attack again, bringing in Karn Sharma to pair with Maxwell, ensuring CSK faced continuous spin variations.

Over 11:

First ball – Karn fires in a quick leg-break, drifting outside off.

Dube watches carefully, doesn’t take the risk.

Dot ball.

Next delivery—flighted ball, inviting the drive.

Dube reacts, steps forward, and pushes it through covers for a single.

RCB’s bowlers had successfully removed CSK’s aggressive intent—forcing them into slower rotation play rather than boundary-hunting.

Overs 13-15 – CSK Finally Pushes Forward

The 14th over arrived, and CSK realized they had slowed down too much.

Commentary:"CSK’s last five overs have produced limited boundaries—they need acceleration!"

Conway stepped up.

First ball – Flighted outside off.

Conway stretches forward—LOFTED OVER COVERS!

Four runs!

Next ball—quicker, angling toward leg.

Dube steps forward—pulls past square leg—BOUNDARY!

Commentary:"That’s what CSK needed! They are pushing back against RCB now!"

Middle Overs Summary (Overs 7-15)

CSK – 112/2

Conway – 50(39), anchoring the innings!*

Dube – 14(9), preparing for acceleration!

RCB controlling the game with tight field setups!

Commentary:"RCB have effectively slowed CSK’s run rate! Now, the death overs will decide the match!"