Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Yash Dayal feels MS Dhoni’s wicket was the turning point of the game. Dayal had to defend 17 runs to keep RCB’s playoffs hopes alive but was put under pressure by the former CSK captain as he was tonked for a 110-m maximum.

However, the left-arm seamer was able to bounce back strongly. Dayal flummoxed Dhoni with a back-of-the-hand slower ball as the veteran was caught by Swapnil Singh at deep fine leg.

Dayal conceded only seven runs in the final over he bowled and got the job done for his team. The 26-year-old from Uttar Pradesh returned with figures of 2-42 in his quota of four overs.

“I was quite nervous but my goal was to bowl good balls. Seniors were standing around me and I had their support. I was bowling the most important over of the match, the final over, and I think it was MS Dhoni’s wicket that was the turning point of the game, according to me,” Yash Dayal said in the post-match press conference.

Meanwhile, Dayal was smashed for five sixes by Rinku Singh in the previous season of the IPL and the left-arm seamer was able to keep his calm when it mattered the most.

“When I got hit for the first six, I subconsciously went into that place (Rinku Singh over), but I told myself that I have done well since then and I focused on bowling good balls rather than watching the scoreboard,” he further added.

Dayal also showered praise on Faf du Plessis, for getting the best out of the players.

“Faf du Plessis is an unbelievable captain. He is a proper athlete and he brings so much positivity to the field. When him and Virat Kohli are around, you don’t feel pressure,” Dayal concluded.

RCB will be in action against either RR or SRH in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.