3 times RCB fell agonizingly short in a huge run chase in the IPL ft. 2024 vs KKR

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have been one of the unluckiest teams in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Despite progressing through the playoffs in eight seasons, they have been unable to clinch the title.

Through all these years, RCB have dealt with instability in the middle order or the failure of the bowling unit. The only thing which has remained constant is the performance of top-order batters like Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers.

However, the trio could not do it all, as many aspects can turn the game in the opposition's favor. Let's take a look at three occasions when RCB closely failed to seal a big chase.

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#3 6 runs vs MI, 2019 (Target: 188)

In the seventh match of the 2019 season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru faced Mumbai Indians (MI). Batting first, MI got off to a good start with Quinton de Kock (23) and Rohit Sharma (48).

Then, Suryakumar Yadav (38) and Yuvraj Singh (23) continued the team's momentum, while Hardik Pandya's flourish of 32* off 14 helped MI to post 187 on the board. Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of the bowlers for RCB with figures of 4/38.

In response, Parthiv Patel (31) was impressive to put Bengaluru in a good stead. Then, Virat Kohli (46) and AB de Villiers were sublime with their performances to continue the team's momentum. Although De Villiers (70) and Shivam Dube (9) remained unbeaten, RCB fell short by just six runs.

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#2 8 runs vs CSK, 2023 (Target: 227)

The last IPL season saw Royal Challengers facing off against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Bengaluru. Devon Conway (83) and Ajinkya Rahane (37) were impressive to put the visitors on front foot. Then, Dube displayed his ball-striking abilities to slam 52 off 27, as CSK posted 226 on the board.

Thereafter, Kohli (6) was dismissed early, but Faf du Plessis (62) and Glenn Maxwell (76) put back the pressure on the CSK bowling unit, as they stitched a 126-run stand. Although Dinesh Karthik (28) was looking strong, he could not seal the chase and CSK won the game by eight runs.

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#1 1 run vs KKR, 2024 (Target: 223)

In a recent game at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders were off to a scintillating start with Phil Salt scoring 48 off 14 balls. Then, Shreyas Iyer (50) was the major contributor as KKR slammed a mammoth total of 222. Cameron Green and Yash Dayal took two wickets each for the visitors.

Then, Kohli (18) and Du Plessis (7) couldn't trouble the scores much; however, the young pair of Will Jacks (55) and Rajat Patidar (52) kept the team's hopes alive with attacking strokeplay.

Nevertheless, after their dismissals, RCB lost the momentum. With 21 needed off the last over, Karn Sharma (20) hit three sixes off Mitchell Starc, but after his dismissal on the penultimate ball, they lost by just one run.