Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ascended from the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table following a four-wicket triumph against Gujarat Titans in Bengaluru on Saturday.
The Faf du Plessis-led team rose to seventh place with eight points from 11 games. Gujarat Titans descended to ninth place, with the five-time champions Mumbai Indians now occupying the last position.
In pursuit of the 148-run target, RCB made a strong start thanks to Faf Du Plessis and Virat Kohli's explosive batting during the powerplay.
Within the initial six overs, they amassed 92 runs. Du Plessis scored a rapid 64 off 23 balls before being dismissed by Josh Little.
RCB lost wickets rapidly after the powerplay, offering some hope to the Titans. They lost six wickets for 25 runs, but Dinesh Karthik (21*) and Swapnil Singh (15*) remained composed to secure victory for RCB.
Earlier, Gujarat Titans, troubled by a lively pitch, precise Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowlers, and their own hesitations, struggled to a modest total of 147 all out.
Yash Dayal was the standout bowler, claiming two wickets while conceding just 21 runs, while Mohammed Siraj also took two wickets. Cameron Green, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Karn Sharma each took one wicket.
It must be noted Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are the joint-most successful teams in IPL history, with both sides clinching the title five times each.
Aside from these two, KKR has triumphed twice, while Gujarat Titans, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Deccan Chargers have each lifted the trophy once.
Despite boasting legendary figures in the shorter format such as Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, and others, Royal Challengers Bangalore have yet to claim the title despite reaching the final thrice in 2009, 2011, and 2016.
Remaining IPL 2024 matches schedule:
May 5: Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings & Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders
May 6: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
May 7: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals
May 8: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants
May 9: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
May 10: Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings
May 11: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians
May 12: Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals & Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals
May 13: Gujarat Titans vs Kolkata Knight Riders
May 14: Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants
May 15: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings
May 16: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans
May 17: Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants
May 18: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings
May 19: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings & Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders
May 21: Qualifier 1
May 22: Eliminator
May 24: Qualifier 2
May 26: Final