Overview
With 14 points to their name, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would eye a win in their final game against Gujarat Titans, the table-toppers, which in turn would almost guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. If RCB lose, then they have to depend on permutations and combinations.
RCB are currently one of the form teams in the tournament, having posted comfortable wins in their last two games against Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. It is the main engine room of RCB – their opening combination of Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli – that have put the side in a good position to qualify. The duo has already amassed 872 runs together, and they are the most successful pair in this season’s IPL. Glenn Maxwell too has provided them support, scoring close to 400 runs this season.
However, on the flip side, the fourth-highest run-getter in the side is Dinesh Karthik with just 140 runs. Lack of runs from the middle order could still hurt them. It is true that Anuj Rawat and Mahipal Lomror have occasionally fired, but they need more from some of the ancillary parts of the side. Among the bowlers, Mohammed Siraj has led the attack admirably.
Meanwhile, Gujarat have already booked their place in Qualifier 1. Their main objective would be to continue the winning momentum. Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma and comoany have all chipped in with vital contributions from time to time. It has been a collective effort that has helped Gujarat win a slew of games. There could still be a concern or two for the think-tank. One of them is that only Gill has compiled more than 300 runs this season. So, Gujarat tend to be reliant on him for big scores.
Venue Details and Time
Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. 7.30pm
Expected conditions
There is a threat of rain through the course of the day. The RCB camp, in particular, would hope the rains don’t play spoilsport. The curator is set to produce yet another deck with even bounce.
Head-to-head
Both teams have won a game each.
Impact Player and Possible XIs
RCB could opt for Dinesh Karthik or Vijaykumar Vyshak as the impact sub, while Gujarat might bring in Yash Dayal as the sub.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Sai Sudarshan, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Dasun Shanaka, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (C), Glenn Maxwell, Michael Bracewell, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wayne Parnell, Harshal Patel, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj.