Chris Gayle’s love affair with RCB
Our second moment on this list takes us back to mid-way through the 2011 IPL season, when one of the most celebrated partnerships formed.
Chris Gayle had spent three difficult seasons previously with Kolkata Knight Riders, struggling to make an impact which led to him not getting picked by anyone in the 2011 IPL auction.
The Universe Boss, sitting in a bar in Jamaica, receives a call telling him that he has been selected as a replacement player for a fast-bowler.
Gayle flies out to Bangalore to play a game instantly and takes his spot in RCB’s team.
And guess what happens?
Gayle has a 600-run season, which helps RCB qualify for the knockouts.
He then scores back-to-back 700-run seasons and becomes an RCB legend.
The Universe Boss had to be on this list, but incredibly his glittering RCB legacy all started in a bar in Jamaica.
RCB vs CSK – 2024
Number three on our list, goes back to May 18, 2024.
RCB had a terrible start to the season, losing the majority of their early matches in the League phase.
However, despite all odds they turned it around and now have a chance of qualifying for the knockouts after winning five in a row.
They have to face the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at a packed out Chinnaswamy, however due to net-run-rate calculations they have to win the match by at least 18 runs.
Batting first, RCB scored 218 runs thanks to great contributions from Faf Du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell, however CSK only needed 200 runs to qualify.
Despite losing a wicket of the first ball, CSK stayed around the run rate and got it to 17 runs in the last over to qualify.
Yash Dayal concedes a six off the first ball from MS Dhoni, but manages to hold his nerve and defend the target to help RCB qualify and win six games in a row.
From where they were at the beginning of the season, to then qualify after an incredible qualifying match means this victory has to be on this list.
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