Their campaign sent haywire by a couple of unexpected losses, Royal Challengers Bangalore are now faced with a must-win situation when they take on former champions Chennai Super Kings in a crucial match here on Saturday.
Bangalore’s seven-wicket loss to Kings XI Punjab in their last match ended up confirming the play-off berths for Mumbai Indians, CSK and Rajasthan Royals.
The three top teams have crossed the 20-point mark which leaves three other teams — Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab — chasing the fourth spot in the points table.
Victory over Delhi Daredevils took Punjab to 14 points and they are two behind Bangalore (16) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (16). Punjab have one more match against Mumbai Indians on May 18 and they will aim to finish on 16 points. Bangalore must beat Chennai to move to 18 points but that will not assure them a place in the final four. For them to qualify, Hyderabad and Punjab have to lose their remaining games.
Playing their last league game this season, RCB have a tough task against Chennai, who have been in top form, losing only four of the 15 games played this season.
Chennai will have nothing to lose and would try to upset Royal Challengers’ chances to sneak into play-offs. The last time both teams met was on April 13 at M A Chidambaram Stadium when Chennai trounced Bangalore by four wickets.
The hosts would like to return the compliment with a superlative performance from their destructive opener Chris Gayle. Chinnaswamy has been a happy hunting ground for Gayle as he has scored 504 runs here out of the 680 with a best of 175 not out this season.
Skipper Virat Kohli is also a vital cog in the RCB batting lineup as he has the ability to shift gears according to the situation. The flamboyant cricketer has scored 578 runs with 99 as his highest individual score this season.
But bowling is a slight worry. They have failed to either defend totals or restrict opponents. Ravi Rampaul, Murali Kartik and Vinay Kumar have done well but profligates Jaydev Unadkat, Muttiah Muralitharan and Abhimanyu Mithun are a matter of concern. Zaheer Khan’s comeback has bolstered the confidence of his co-bowlers.