IPL History: 3 thrilling run-chases by Royal Challengers Bangalore

Ever since the start of the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have always been a fan favourite team. One of the reasons for such a massive fan following are the star players - Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble - who have donned the franchise's colours.

Over the years, the Bangalore-based franchise has been through a roller coaster ride and was just a step away from lifting the coveted trophy on three occasions. In 2009, 2011, and 2016 seasons, the Bangalore team reached the finals of the tournament but were defeated by Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively.

In spite of them being one of the only three franchises in the tournament to not lift the trophy, the Royal Challengers were involved in many thrilling matches. On that note, let us have a look at three such thrilling chases by RCB in this article.

---

#3. Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2015

Man of the match: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli helped RCB clinch victory in a thrilling rain-curtailed match

The 52nd match of the 2015 IPL season between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad was key for both sides in order to make it to the playoffs. The Bangalore-based franchise's penultimate league match was expected to be a thriller as SRH had stopped RCB making it to the playoffs on previous occasions.

The high-stakes match was reduced to an 11-over match due to rain and both sides needed a win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. In the first innings, the home team scored a total of 135 runs in 11 overs, thanks to half-centuries from David Warner and Moises Henriques.

During the last few balls of the SRH innings, the rain started pelting down and as a result, the RCB's target was revised to 81 off 6 overs. Chris Gayle gave Bangalore the perfect start as he blazed to 35 off just 10 balls.

Just when it seemed like RCB will cruise through the chase, Henriques got the wickets of Gayle and the dangerous AB de Villiers off two consecutive balls. Two quick wickets increased SRH's odds in the match but Virat Kohli had different plans.

After the two quick dismissals, Kohli kept his side in the game by accumulating 14 and 10 runs in the next two overs respectively. With 13 runs needed off the last over, David Warner handed over the ball to Bhuvneshwar Kumar who gave away just one run in the first two balls.

Off the next two balls, Kohli hit two fours and reduced the equation to four off two balls. With the side needing just four runs, Kohli backed himself to clear the fence but hit one straight to Warner at long off but luckily for him, the Hyderabad skipper stepped on the boundary line giving away six runs. As a result, RCB won the match by 6 wickets with one ball to spare.

#2. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2014

Man of the Match: AB de Villiers

ABD's pyrotechnics helped RCB win the match with one ball to spare

During the United Arab Emirates leg of the Indian Premier League in 2014, Royal Challengers Bangalore struggled to find their rhythm and won just one match out of their first five fixtures. In their first match in India, the Kohli-led side was pitted against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.

After winning the toss, the home team chose to bowl first and their bowling unit did a decent job by picking up wickets at regular intervals. David Warner was the only visiting batsmen to trouble the home team. He scored a decent half-century and took his side to a total of 155 at the end of 20 overs.

During the chase, Bangalore was in a spot of bother as they lost Parthiv Patel and Virat Kohli in the second over. Chris Gayle, Rilee Rossouw and Yuvraj Singh too did not trouble the SRH bowlers as they got out for 27(19), 14(23), and 14(16) respectively.

With 59 runs needed off the last five overs, AB de Villiers went all guns blazing. He scored a magnificent 89 off just 41 balls and took his side to victory with one ball to spare. The highlight of the match was ABD scoring 24 runs off the penultimate over bowled by Dale Steyn.

#1. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Lions, 2016 Qualifiers 1

Man of the Match: AB de Villiers

Royal Challengers Bangalore were one of the most dominant sides in the 2016 season. They were second on the points table with 8 wins and made it to the Qualifier 1 against table toppers Gujarat Lions.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore did a good job with the ball as they took Gujarat's first six wickets for just 115 runs in 16.3 overs. The only batsmen that they could not stop was Dwayne Smith, who scored a 41-ball 73. The final flourish provided by the West Indian ensured that GL posted a total of 158.

During the chase, Bangalore got off to the worst possible start as they lost five wickets in the powerplay. AB de Villiers then tried to build a partnership with Stuart Binny. The two added 39 runs for the six wickets but Binny was dismissed after scoring 21 off 15 balls.

Just when everyone thought that Gujarat Lions were inching towards a spot in the final, AB de Villiers built a wonderful partnership with Iqbal Abdulla. For the seventh wicket, the two batsmen were involved in an unbeaten partnership of 91 runs.

AB de Villiers was the man of the match for his outstanding innings of 79 off just 47 balls. The innings ensured that Bangalore became the first team to make to the finals of 2016.