Bengaluru win six in row to make IPL play-offs, Chennai out

BENGALURU: Skipper Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli hit key knocks to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru seal the last play-off spot in the Indian Premier League with a 27-run win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.

Bengaluru posted 218-5 after Du Plessis, who hit 54, and Kohli, who smashed 47, laid the foundations for the total in a rain-hit innings at their home M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chennai were held to 191-7 in reply and with both sides level on 14 points, Bengaluru went through to the play-offs on run-rate after a sixth win in a row.

“What a night! Such a great atmosphere,” player of the match Du Plessis, who did a lap of honour with his team for the home fans, said. “Just a pleasure to finish the season in front of the home crowd with a win.”

Bengaluru will now play in the eliminator on Wednesday in Ahmedabad. Table-toppers Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already made the play-offs, which will begin with the first qualifier on Tuesday in Ahmedabad.

The final is on May 26 in Chennai. Rachin Ravindra hit 61 before Ravindra Jadeja, who made an unbeaten 42, and old warhorse M.S. Dhoni (25) gave Bengaluru a scare in a stand of 61 as Chennai fell short of the qualification mark. The match could be Dhoni´s last IPL outing as a player and also the final face-off between him and Kohli -- two legends of Indian cricket.