Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fairytale resurgent run will be up against the might of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the weather gods when the two sides clash in an epic do-or-die match to decide the fourth and final team for the IPL play-offs, on Saturday. Thursday’s washout in Hyderabad meant that Sunrisers Hyderabad joined Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals as the three confirmed teams for the playoffs and the race is now for only one spot with two teams in fray — CSK and RCB.
Boasting of a better net run-rate and more points, defending champions CSK (13 points, NRR 0.528) start favourites at a venue where they have lost to the home side only once in eight matches. RCB has 12 points and a net run-rate of 0.387.
However, what has heightened the drama surrounding the game is the forecast of rain. A washout will take CSK through to the playoffs, while RCB will need to win by at least 18 runs or chase the target with about 11 balls to spare.
True#rcb #csk #royalchallengersbangalore pic.twitter.com/f5I4x0RTko
— RVCJ Sports (@RVCJ_Sports) May 15, 2024
No Will Jacks
Bad form of Maxwell
Thala’s farewell juju is real
Rain spoiling the playoffs chance
Law of average for both Kohli & Patidar
Terrible head to head record against CSK
Everything is poised against RCB on 18th May pic.twitter.com/GDcl2CTkof— Sanjay (@was_sanju) May 17, 2024
World if both CSK and RCB gets knocked out somehow…. pic.twitter.com/uLawXiYubk
— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) May 17, 2024
• 3 playoff spots already claimed
• 1 spot remains
• RCB in top form with a dangerous batting lineup.
• No Pathirana and Mustafizur
• Have to face RCB in their home ground.Don’t worry, coz “The Strawberry Farmer” returns for one last time.
— TravisBickle (@TravisbickleCSK) May 16, 2024
Yes it’s gonna rain on may 18th, raining sixes & boundaries by our boys !
Come what may, may the force be with you!#RCBvsCSK clash of the titans.#RCB#DrPuneethRajkumar pic.twitter.com/HrQryVmAkB
— TylerDurden (@TylerDurdenx27) May 16, 2024
Match is called off due to rain
Meanwhile RCB vs CSK will end game #SRHvsGT #RCBvsCSK
— BTS™️ (@Musktwt11) May 16, 2024
The odds are therefore stacked against the home side, which is the most in-form unit in the tournament’s final stretch.
They’ve staged a spectacular comeback, securing five straight wins after enduring a six-match losing streak.
Orange Cap holder Kohli has been in phenomenal form with three fifties in last five innings as he is poised to ignite the field with yet another stellar show.
They will hope that skipper Faf du Plessis is back among runs, having capped single digit scores in his last two outings.
In the middle order, Rajat Patidar and Cameron Green have both showcased compelling form.
Mahipal Lomror and Dinesh Karthik would be looking to make the most out of the Chinnaswamy track, which is typically a good batting wicket.
As for RCB’s bowling, Yash Dayal has been their star, bagging the most wickets this season.
Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj, Green, and Swapnil Singh face a formidable task ahead.
Will Jacks, who has impressed with the bat, is a part-time spin bowling option. But it will be interesting to see if he is utilised on this track.
For CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the team’s top run-scorer this season and is expected to give them a fine start.
Fellow opener Rachin Ravindra is also back among runs and he along with Daryl Mitchell will be expected to lift the top order.
They will hope that Shivam Dube gets back into his rhythm. He has failed to score in his last four outings.
In bowling, pacer Simarjeet Singh and Tushar Deshpande have done a neat job after they missed their premier trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana and Deepak Chahar.
The inspiring presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni will continue to be a factor for the side but it remains to be seen how big a role he is able to play given some nagging injury concerns.
