From the dust to the skies, RCB’s 2024 journey was an epic one to remember

2024 will always be a journey to remember for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru as they pulled off the unthinkable and kept on fighting till the very end where they eventually bowed out to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.

But more than the defeat, RCB dished out an exotic brand of display that kept the audience gripped to the very edge of their seats till the very end. Despite bagging one win from the first seven games, the stakes were higher than ever and the Royal Challengers flirted with the earliest elimination from the tournament.

However, they embraced the philosophy of Playing Bold and went out all guns blazing which eventually started to show after they started slaying Titans and Giants alike.

It all started with a close shave against Kolkata Knight Riders that saw RCB battling for their dear lives. Despite coming within touching distance and a magical late flourish from Karn Sharma who hammered a 7-ball-20, they would eventually falter in the final hurdle to lose the match by a solitary run.

Next up was Sunrisers Hyderabad who were in dream touch until then and RCB decided to step up big. It was a staggering 35 runs win over a high-firing SRH squad, keeping the hopes alive.

Gujarat Titans incurred the wrath of the Royal Challengers, firstly through the divine power-hitting of Will Jacks belting a 41-ball-100 followed by another iconic showdown from Captain Faf who bludgeoned a 23-ball-64.

Punjab Kings couldn’t match RCB’s relentless striking either as they fell short by 60 runs while the Delhi Capitals were rolled up within just 140 runs, chronicling a staggering 47 runs win for RCB. Then arrived the all-important Chennai clash and despite the shimmies and wobbles, RCB eventually made it in the end, storming headstrong into the play-offs.

The show they say must go on and despite putting out their hearts and souls on the line, the juggernaut came to a screeching halt against the Royals as the RCB batters couldn’t really rack up the desired runs, leaving Faf and company defending with all their might to eventually fall short in the end.

Despite the defeat, it was a season that would go down in history for RCB where they scripted six back-to-back wins. They had Virat Kohli leading the run-scoring charts with 741 runs while their top order looked super formidable with Faf du Plessis amassing 438 runs, Will Jacks smashing 230 runs at an average of 32.85 and a strike rate of 175.57, Rajat Patidar clobbering 395 runs at a strike rate of 177.13 and Cameron Green bringing the party to the table with 255 runs at a strike rate of 143.25.

The middle-order duo of Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror excelled beyond dizzying heights, helping the team time and time again. Karthik smashed 326 runs at a strike rate of 187.35 while Lomror scored 125 at a strike rate of 183.82. 

The revelation of Swapnil Singh was a treat for the sore eyes while the experienced Karn Sharma and Lockie Ferguson fought and fought until there was nothing left. Singh added 37 vital runs at a strike rate of 176.19 coming in at number 7 while claiming six crucial wickets. Sharma plundered seven scalps for him while Lockie Ferguson had nine.

However, this season also witnessed the arrival of a new name who made Chinnaswamy his home and wheelhouse in his very edition in the RCB colours and that was Yash Dayal. Rising like a phoenix from his own ashes, he delivered a showdown that would go down in history as one of the finest Dayal finished as the joint leading wicket taker for RCB alongside Mohammed Siraj as the duo claimed 15 wickets each.

Andy Flower, certainly showed the mastermind that he is and in his very first season in RCB colours would certainly be deemed as a success. Even albeit it could have been better, the fight remained until the very end. This is a loud thank you to all the Royal Challengers for an incredible season. Till we meet again.