CHAPTER 88: THE MATCH DECIDER

The atmosphere inside the stadium was suffocating with tension. The floodlights shone brightly against the dark sky, illuminating thousands of spectators who had packed every inch of the stands.

Some stood with fists clenched, whispering silent prayers. Others gripped the edges of their seats, unable to look away. This wasn’t just another ILP league match—it was a defining moment for Royal Challengers Bangalore, and more importantly, for their new captain, Raj.

For the last twenty overs, RCB had fought tooth and nail, clawing their way back from a position where victory had once seemed impossible. The run chase had been slow, cautious, and calculated.

The opening pair of Kohlie and Duplesi had given the team the foundation they desperately needed. Yet as the final moments of the match approached, one fact remained clear—the match was balanced precariously, and the last ball would determine everything.

RCB’s Chase Summary Before the Final Ball

RCB had needed 146 runs to win in 20 overs.

They had carefully paced their innings:

Powerplay Overs (1-6) – 35 for no loss

Middle Overs (7-15) – 70 for one

Death Overs (16-19) – 37 runs added, bringing the score to 142 for three

Now, with just one ball remaining, RCB needed four runs to win.

At the striker’s end stood Raj—RCB’s most expensive signing of the season, their newly appointed leader, the man on whom millions of fans had pinned their hopes.

Facing him was Chennai’s finest death-over bowler, a specialist known for maintaining his composure in high-pressure situations. His statistics spoke for themselves—he had defended close margins before, even in playoff matches. He thrived in moments like these.

Scorecard Before the Final Ball

RCB Batting Performance:

Virat Kohlie – 42 (35), 4 fours

Faf Duplesi – 38 (29), 3 fours

Raj – 56 (32), 7 fours(on strike, final ball)

Other batters combined – 6 (7)

Chennai Bowling Figures:

Deepak Chahar – 4-0-25-2

Kamlesh (off-spin) – 3-0-18-1

Nehla(final over bowler) – 3.5-0-28-0

The scoreboard blinked. The tension was unbearable. This was it.

The Final Ball – Tactical Planning

Raj had already taken three boundaries in his last six balls, shifting the momentum back toward RCB. But now, Chennai had adjusted their field placements.

The strategy was clear: deny Raj the big shot.

Deep cover set wide to stop a lofted drive.

Mid-off pushed slightly deeper to prevent a straight boundary.

Long-on stationed exactly at the rope, ready to cut off a flick toward leg-side.

Raj analyzed it in seconds. They were expecting him to go aerial.But Raj had a different plan.

The bowler took his final deep breath, steadied himself, and sprinted toward the crease.

The ball was fired in short, slower than usual, angled toward off-stump. It was a classic deception—forcing Raj into a mistimed, rushed stroke.

Raj saw it immediately.Instead of going for power, he did something unexpected.

He waited.

He allowed the ball to come onto the bat just long enough.Then, he angled the bat face slightly, slicing it toward deep extra cover.

The ball flew into the night sky, its path carrying it toward the boundary rope.

Chennai’s fielder sprinted toward it.

The entire stadium held its breath.

The commentary box erupted:

"This could go all the way—this is unbelievable!"

Raj remained perfectly still, watching the ball’s trajectory.

Had he timed it well enough?

Had he cleared the fielder?

The Last Ball Landing – The Outcome

The fielder leaped at full stretch, his fingertips reaching for the ball.

Did he catch it?

Did it clear the rope?

The umpire sprinted toward the boundary, signaling for a decision.

The crowd was on edge, waiting.Then, the signal came.

The fielder sprinted toward the boundary, his eyes locked onto the descending ball. Chennai’s dugout had risen to their feet, their expressions tense, knowing that this single moment would determine the fate of the match. RCB’s players were frozen in anticipation, their hands clenched, waiting for confirmation.

Raj’s heart pounded against his chest, but outwardly, he remained still. He had seen the fielder’s movement, the timing of the leap, the positioning of his hands—it would take an extraordinary effort to stop this ball from touching the rope.

Then, the fielder made his final move.

He launched himself upward, fingers stretched, straining toward the ball. His body twisted mid-air, adjusting for any last-second variations.

The stadium’s roar turned into a collective gasp.

Did he catch it?

Did it clear the boundary?

The umpire, positioned near deep extra cover, rushed toward the landing spot. He raised his hand, signaling toward the third umpire. The decision was too close to be made immediately.

The players waited. The crowd murmured in disbelief. The cameras zoomed in on the fielder, who was still lying near the rope, his expression unreadable.

Raj exhaled slowly. This was his first time facing such a moment in an ILP match, but he was no stranger to pressure. This wasn’t just about technique. It was about nerve.

A few seconds later, the giant screen flashed the words everyone had been waiting for.

Decision Pending – Third Umpire Review

RCB’s Scorecard Before the Decision

RCB Batting Performance:

Virat Kohlie – 42 (35), 4 fours

Faf Duplesi – 38 (29), 3 fours

Raj – 56 (32), 7 fours(on strike, final ball)

Other batters combined – 6 (7)

Chennai Bowling Figures:

Deepak Chahar – 4-0-25-2

Kamlesh (off-spin) – 3-0-18-1

Death-over specialist(final over bowler) – 3.5-0-28-0

RCB required four runs from the last ball, and now it all came down to the replay.

The Third Umpire Review – Tension at Its Peak

The stadium went completely silent as the replay played on the giant screen.

The cameras zoomed in on the fielder’s movements:

His feet inches from the boundary rope.

His hands reaching for the ball mid-air.

The ball making contact—but was he inside the field when it happened?

The footage slowed down, revealing the crucial frame.

The moment of truth arrived.

The third umpire took a deep breath, reached for the mic, and announced the final verdict.

The crowd erupted.

The stadium was engulfed in anticipation as the third umpire finalized his review. The slow-motion footage had been analyzed frame by frame, the fielder’s movement scrutinized, the ball’s trajectory carefully measured.

Every player on the field was frozen in place, their eyes locked onto the giant screen displaying the final verdict. RCB’s dugout was holding its breath, the coaching staff barely able to contain their emotions. Chennai’s captain stood near the pitch, arms crossed, waiting for the ruling that would either cement their defense or end the match in dramatic fashion.

Raj remained at the striker’s end, unmoving. He had calculated his shot perfectly, but in the end, it all depended on whether the ball had cleared the fielder’s outstretched hands or whether it had been intercepted at the very last moment.

The third umpire’s microphone crackled to life. The stadium was dead silent.

Then came the decision.

Was the Catch Taken or Did the Ball Clear the Boundary?

The final slow-motion frame flashed across the screen.

The fielder’s fingers were millimeters away from the ball as it descended. His body was angled toward the ground, his momentum carrying him toward the boundary rope.

His left foot—the deciding factor—was the focus of the replay.

Had it landed inside the rope before the ball reached his hands? Or had he stepped beyond it, meaning the ball was a confirmed boundary?

The stadium watched in disbelief as the umpire raised his arm.

RCB’s Fate Sealed – Win or Loss?

The third umpire’s voice finally rang out:

"The player’s foot made contact with the boundary rope before completing the catch. The ball is ruled a boundary. Four runs. The match is over."

For a fraction of a second, there was silence.

Then, chaos erupted.

The RCB dugout exploded in celebration. Players jumped to their feet, embracing each other, shouting in exhilaration. Raj stood in the center of the pitch, his bat raised slightly, breathing heavily.

He had done it.

RCB had pulled off an impossible chase.

Chennai’s players stood in stunned disbelief. Their bowler stared at the ground, hands on his knees, knowing how close they had been to victory. Their captain exchanged quick words with the umpires, but there was no controversy—the replay had been clear.

Raj walked forward, shaking hands with the opposition, maintaining his composure despite the energy surrounding him. But inside, he knew this moment would be remembered in ILP history.

Post-Match Reactions – Players, Media, and Fans Respond

RCB’s captain Raj at the presentation ceremony:

"This wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement. We knew we had to fight till the last ball, and that’s exactly what we did. Every player contributed, and this is just the beginning. We’re here to win."

Chennai’s captain speaks after the loss:

"We played hard, but sometimes, cricket comes down to fine margins. We’ll regroup, we’ll come back stronger, and we’ll keep pushing for the title."

RCB fans celebrate outside the stadium:

"This is the kind of cricket we live for! Raj is a legend already. He’s proven why he was worth every rupee in the auction."

The match had ended, but its significance would last far beyond this night.

Final Match Scorecard

Chennai Kings – 145/6 (20 overs)

Rithik Sharma – 42 (35)

David Worner – 18 (21)

Andre Russell – 26 (19)

RCB Bowling:

Mohammad Siraaj – 4-0-32-2

Josh Hazlewood – 4-0-25-1

RCB – 146/3 (20 overs) – Won by 7 wickets

Virat Kohlie – 42 (35), 4 fours

Faf Duplesi – 38 (29), 3 fours

Raj – 60 (33), 8 fours* (match-winning shot)

To be continued....