'God's plan baby' - Rinku Singh congratulates Yash Dayal after pacer's emphatic redemption at Chinnaswamy

Rinku Singh put out an appreciation post for Yash Dayal after the left-arm seamer kept his calm in the last over of the crucial Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) versus Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 18. The hosts managed to reach the playoffs after registering a 27-run win on the penultimate day of the league phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Chennai were chasing a 219-run target to win the match but 201 was the magic number for them to secure a place in the playoffs. Meanwhile, RCB had to restrict the defending champions to less than 201 to enter the playoffs. In the last over, the visitors needed 17 runs with Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni being well set at the crease. Skipper Faf du Plessis had to choose between Yash Dayal and Cameron Green for the last over. The South African veteran backed the Allahabad-born pacer and the move paid dividends.

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Dayal had a horrific start to the over, as he bowled a leg-stump full-toss which Dhoni nonchalantly swung away for a 110-meter six over fine-leg. The equation came down to 11 required from the final five balls. The scales were heavily tilted in favour of the legendary wicketkeeper-batter. However, Dayal came back strongly with a slower delivery that flummoxed the former India captain. His swipe took a big top-edge and the catch was pouched safely by Swapnil Singh at deep backward square leg. The left-arm seamer conceded a solitary run off the last four balls to take RCB to the playoffs.

This was a beautiful comeback story for the 26-year-old speedster, who was hit for five sixes in the last over of a Gujarat Titans versus Kolkata Knight Riders clash last season by his Uttar Pradesh teammate Rinku. Dayal lost his place in the Titans side after the debacle and was subsequently released ahead of the IPL 2024 auction. He found a new home in RCB and the management played him 13 out of the 14 league matches. This did wonders to his confidence and he delivered when it mattered the most for his franchise. After his heroics, the seamer received a congratulatory message from Rinku.

"God's plan baby," wrote the diminutive Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter as he shared a picture of Dayal on his Instagram story.

Also Read: Watch: Delirious RCB fans escort team bus after Chinnaswamy classic

"For every setback, there's a comeback waiting for you if you're brave enough to fight it out. Well done, Yash," KKR posted on X after the match.

RCB booked their spot in the Eliminator after the memorable win. They will find out who they will be facing in the Eliminator on the final day of the league on Sunday, May 19.