WHAT’S AT STAKE:
RCB: Having already qualified for the playoffs, RCB need to win their remaining two games to have a chance of finishing in the top two.
SRH: No matter what the Sunrisers do in the final two matches, they will still finish the season with the wooden spoon. However, they can play party poopers for Virat Kohli’s side.
After suffering two defeats at the start of the UAE leg, including a 92-all out, RCB have turned their fortunes around in style. They have now won three games in a row and are in prime form ahead of the business end of the tournament.
Glenn Maxwell has been a revelation for the RCB and their turn of form can be attributed to his performances. In the three games that RCB have won in the UAE leg, Maxwell has been at the forefront with fifties in each of those games. The Sunrisers will be hoping they can keep him quiet on the night.
Daniel Christian has played the last three games but hasn’t quite come to the party for Virat Kohli’s men. It will be interesting to see if RCB decides to try new combinations involving their foreign players. Despite an average start to his IPL career, George Garton bowled well in the previous game. He should keep his place in the XI if RCB aren’t in the mood to experiment.
For the Sunrisers, nothing really has clicked this season. From change of captaincy to change of personnel, whatever they have tried really hasn’t come off. Their only victory after the resumption came when both Jason Roy & Kane Williamson fired together against Rajasthan Royals. RCB will know that if they manage to get those two out cheaply, they’d have already won half the battle.
Plus, having got nothing to gain as such, SRH might shuffle their personnel around once again and that will give RCB the advantage.
RCB’s concern though will be the net run rate. Despite winning eight out of 12 games this season, RCB’s NRR is still negative. Both Delhi & Chennai have a much better NRR in comparison and if RCB want that top two spot, they will have to ensure they win by a big margin.
