IPL 2019, RCB vs CSK, Match 39: Dhoni's unbeaten 84 goes in vain as Bangalore win thriller by 1 run

MS Dhoni ran out of luck as RCB managed to beat CSK by one run in another last-ball IPL thriller on Sunday night

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was about to finish yet another run-chase in style but finally ran out of luck as Royal Challengers Bangalore pulled out a stunning one-run win against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in another last-ball IPL thriller on Sunday. Chasing a target of 162, CSK needed a near-impossible 26 off the last six deliveries. Umesh Yadav came into the attack but Dhoni hit him for 24 runs off five balls, taking CSK closer to victory. With two needed off the last ball and Umesh looking increasingly helpless, he managed to bowl a slower delivery and Dhoni missed it only for Parthiv Patel to effect a run-out as non-striker Shardul Thakur inches out of his crease.

M39: RCB vs CSK – Shardul Thakur Wicket https://t.co/L8ajKfE1Za

— Aakash Biswas (@aami_aakash) April 21, 2019

It could have been an easy win in the manner Dale Steyn (2/29) has brought the necessary zing that was lacking in RCB's bowling effort as he bowled perfect outswinger to get rid of Shane Watson caught by Marcus Stoinis at the slips. He followed it up with a perfect yorker against an out-of-form Suresh Raina (0), who has always been found wanting against quality fast bowling. Umesh Yadav despite the odd loose delivery produced extra pace and bounce to get rid of Faf du Plessis (5) and Kedar Jadhav (9) as CSK were left tottering at 28 for 4. The trusted pair of Ambati Rayudu (29 off 29 balls) and Dhoni started resurrecting the innings. Dhoni hit Stoinis for a six and Rayudu having struggled for long finally found some touch as he pulled Umesh over deep mid-wicket for a six and then hit a one-bounce for over extra cover.

MS Dhoni's magical 84*(48) https://t.co/c0XF0715nF

— Aakash Biswas (@aami_aakash) April 21, 2019

They had a 55-run stand before Rayudu got one from Yuzvendra Chahal (1/24 in 4 overs) angled into his pads. He missed the line and the ball hit the pads and then onto the stumps leaving Dhoni with an onerous task. Earlier, Parthiv Patel's attacking half-century and Moeen Ali's final flourish powered RCB to 161 for 7 in 20 overs. The RCB stumper smashed 53 off 37 balls but didn't get a lot of support from the other end until Moeen Ali used the long handle to hit 26 off 16 balls even as AB de Villiers (25 off 19 balls) and Akshdeep Nath (24 off 20 balls) delivered little after promising a lot. Deepak Chahar (2/25 in 4 overs) was impressive as usual while Ravindra Jadeja's (2/29 in 4 overs) twin breakthrough was also important in the context of the innings. Dwayne Bravo (2/34 in 4 overs) also chipped in with a couple of wickets in the end. Having picked 16 runs off the final Powerplay over, RCB looked in control before Jadeja induced De Villiers to go for a big shot only to be holed by Faf du Plessis at Long-off. Parthiv reached his half-century by pulling Bravo in-front of the square but was out off the very next ball. Parthiv's innings had two fours and four sixes. Just when 150 was looking a bit dicey, Moeen hit five boundaries to take RCB past 160-run mark.