RCB's Royal ComeBack - An awe-inspiring tale of defying odds and denying demons
The annual 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' from the loyal to the soil Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans reverberated again after a prolonged hiatus, thanks to the side's stunning resurgence to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs. Only this time, it feels different, especially with RCB turning the sound off from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) 'Whistle Podu' in a crunch encounter.
Almost a month from today, all the talks were around RCB's auction strategies coming back to haunt them, Virat Kohli's impact-less runs at the cost of a low strike rate, and the bowlers queuing up in a contest for who would reach half-centuries with the ball.
The pressure further mounted on the popular yet perennially underachieving franchise, thanks to the women's side hoisting the trophy in only the second season of the Women's Premier League (WPL). At one win and seven losses, RCB were all but done from playoff contention, with another embarrassing off-season full of questions on the horizon.
However, the famous adage of 'Never say Never until the fat lady sings' rang true once again, providing another awe-inspiring sporting example of believing in the 2 M's - Momentum and Miracles.
RCB's Jaw-dropping Turnaround: Defying Odds Yet Repeating History
As improbable as RCB's come-from-behind road to the IPL 2024 playoffs has been, it wasn't the first time the side pulled off such rabbits from the hat despite not achieving ultimate triumph.
Flashback to 2009 when RCB lost four out of their first five outings to be on the brink of elimination. Yet, they pulled off a then-surprising comeback to win seven of the subsequent nine games to qualify for the playoffs and eventually reach the final.
Fast forward to a couple of years in 2011, when a certain Chris Gayle-Mania led RCB's thrilling comeback trail. After suffering defeats in three of their first four games, the franchise Gayle-Stormed their way to the top of the points table at the end of the league stage.
And then the best of the lot, in 2016, when Virat Kohli's season from cricketing heaven propelled RCB from a 2-5 start to wins in six of their final seven outings en route to another final run. Finally, they dug deep and provided another blast from the past from their reservoir of miraculous comebacks by winning five consecutive matches from a 1-6 start in the ongoing campaign.
It had them on the precipice of the unimaginable. Yet, there was a final hurdle and one that has often denied them glory - dethroning five-time champions CSK.
RCB turn CSK against CSK to deny and bury past demons
From laughing stocks, RCB's five-game winning streak made them the talk of the IPL universe before their mouth-watering encounter with CSK at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Yet, standing in their way was the dreaded history against them in crucial face-offs and their mortality in must-win games.
How RCB killed both mangoes with one stone on a night when they had several arrows thrown at them makes it arguably the most cherished victory in their up-and-down IPL history.
Right away, skipper Faf du Plessis lost the toss, and RCB had to bat first on a traditionally happy hunting venue for run-chases. Unwavered, he and Virat Kohli began in style to help the side race to 31/0 in three overs.
However, the rain gods decided to take the first shot at stalling RCB's rapid march by completely changing the pitch complexion post-resumption. With the wicket turning square, the duo remained determined and weathered the troika of CSK spinners before the launch.
Showcasing a CSK-esque swag on the big occasion, RCB never allowed the expectations to bog them down, posting a massive 218/5 in 20 overs. In defense of 201, the magical figure to assure playoff qualification, RCB operated with tremendous smarts and irresistible intensity to wreck the CSK train.
At 129/6 after 15 overs, RCB were almost there until they watched the shadows of their nemesis, MS Dhoni, walk out to the middle. It was the final litmus test they had to overcome before jubilation.
And right on cue, the CSK legend and his favorite son, Ravindra Jadeja, put on a rescue act to set up a final-over finish. Going by history, it was Advantage CSK.
Yet, RCB was not to be denied this time, not when they did their best CSK impersonation. Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal fittingly turned from villain to hero in a year to derail the Dhoni and CSK Express.
RCB had done it, much to the surprise of even their ever-loyal supporters. They had come from the proverbial dead to re-write IPL history for comebacks.
A 6th successive victory became sweeter with playoff qualification and overcoming the CSK demons that had haunted them repeatedly.
While teamwork comes at the forefront of RCB's playoff push, several individuals had heroic moments, from Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar to Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal.
When Faf du Plessis handed his Player of the Match award to Yash Dayal, it was crystal clear for everyone to see what RCB were about - a bunch of never-say-die believers on the same page of 'We' over 'I'.
"I dedicate this Man of the Match to Yash Dayal. The way he bowled was unbelievable. For a man who's fairly new, he deserves it," Faf said at the post-match presentation.
While all the above holds, push comes to shove, RCB is all about Virat Kohli and vice-versa, and his subtle transformation during this turnaround cannot be understated.
Virat Kohli's combative refusal to 'What-ifs' transformed RCB's floundering fortunes
Virat Kohli is everything we want from a sportsperson - someone with a relentless pursuit of excellence, high intensity, undying commitment, and an unmatched will to win, to name a few.
Yet, it was often baffling to watch how a player with all these qualities and sky-high confidence batted with so much inhibition in a format meant for stamping one's authority. An IPL career strike rate lingering in the range of 130 was unbecoming for a player of Kohli's 'I am going to take you down' mindset.
Finally, after being struck by a wave of criticisms over his strike rate and batting tempo, the champion batter realized it was time to let go of the fear of 'What-ifs'.
If the first 319 runs at an average of almost 80 and a strike rate of 141.70 saw RCB win only one out of 6 games, reality had to set in for the winner in Virat Kohli. He had finally seen, heard, and endured enough as he set on the path for payback time with his willow that obeyed his orders like an instrument to a legendary musician.
Barring one ugly stare at his timid self with a 43-ball 51 against SRH, King Kohli became a different beast. There were no more soothing violin tunes as the drummer inside the former RCB captain finally woke up.
Kohli plundered 338 runs at an average of 48.28 and a strike rate of 180.70 in the 7 innings except the SRH vigil. The result was RCB winning 5 with only 2 losses. After his 47-ball 92 against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Kohli uttered words that must have been music to the ears of Indian fans with the T20 World Cup coming up.
"So, I think it just takes a bit more conviction and take out that thought that props up: 'what if you get out'. I've been managing to stay ahead of that thought in this IPL and that's really helped me in the middle overs in this IPL, keeping my strike rate up and keeping the scoring rate going for the team as well," said Kohli.
Kohli can always rely on his orthodox batting style and water-tight technique to come in handy in challenging conditions, with his 29-ball 47 against CSK being the latest example.
Yet, his version 2.0 of taking on the bowlers from the get-go when the opportunity presents itself is a breath of fresh air that elevates the team's chances of winning while also causing tremors in the opposition ranks.
Oh, how much RCB and Team India fans will long for this uninhibited Virat Kohli to continue in the next two months.