"MS Dhoni took me to the Rinku Singh over"- Yash Dayal

Yash Dayal now can’t be remembered anymore solely for being brutally hammered by Rinku Singh for five sixes in an over in an IPL clash between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last year, as the talented pacer had done wonders for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in this season.

Dayal has held his nerve and delivered a marvelous display to turn out to be a hero for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the very crucial encounter of the ongoing IPL 2024 against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

In a thrilling encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Yash bowled a phenomenal final over to help RCB secure a place in the IPL 2024 playoffs by defeating CSK by 27 runs on Saturday, May 19, to end the defending champions journey in the tournament.

Yash Dayal’s incredible last over turns the tide for RCB

Chasing a target of 219 runs against RCB, CSK needed 35 runs from the last over, but 17 runs would have been sufficient for the Men in Yellow to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs.

The crucial final over began dramatically with MS Dhoni smashing a 110-meter six off the first delivery bowled by Dayal, sending the crowd into a frenzy and flooding his mind with memories of Rinku’s heroics last year.

However, the RCB pacer quickly regained his composure as he executed a brilliant slower ball on the second delivery, tempting Dhoni into a mistimed shot that was caught at deep square leg by Swapnil Singh. It was the turning point of the match, as it ensured CSK’s exit and RCB’s entry into the playoffs.

With Shardul Thakur now at the crease, Dayal showed flawless control and precision, conceding just one run in the remaining five balls. His disciplined bowling and ability to stick to his process under immense pressure led RCB to a remarkable victory against CSK and earned them a playoff spot.

MS Dhoni's wicket was the turning point of the match: Yash Dayal

Reflecting on the match, Dayal said that Dhoni's wicket was the turning point of the RCB vs CSK match in Bengaluru. The RCB pacer also admitted that he was nervous, but he stayed focused and stuck to his process, which rewarded him with success against the CSK.

Yash Dayal said in the post-match press conference: “I was quite nervous but my goal was to bowl good balls. Seniors were standing around me and I had their support. I was bowling the most important over of the match, the final over and I think it was MS Dhoni's wicket that was the turning point of the game, according to me."

"When I got hit for the first six, I subconsciously went into that place (Rinku Singh over), but I told myself that I have done well since then and I focused on bowling good balls rather than watching the scoreboard.”

Dayal further said that RCB skipper Faf du Plessis is an unbelievable captain, he is a proper athlete, and he brings so much positivity to the field. The star pacer said that the players don’t feel pressure when Du Plessis and Virat Kohli are around them, and it helped him a lot.