As the race to the final playoff spot heats up, tomorrow’s fixture between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings will decide the fate of both franchises who are desperate to win the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League as the two sides are set to meet at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
The former West Indies skipper Brian Lara has revealed his pick for who comes out on top for the all-important game between the two iconic sides. He believes that RCB on a five-match winning streak has the momentum in their favour to help them clinch the final playoff spot.
Speaking to Star Sports, the former Windies skipper suggested that along with Kohli’s red-hot form with the bat, other players around him have stepped up in the last few games allowing the side to be in contention for the final berth for the knockouts.
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“Well, it is not just form. I mean RCB has a five-match winning streak right now and no other team has done that this year. They have Virat Kohli, who is in hot form. But the most important thing is that other players are also playing their roles well which is important for the team’s success. So I think form is one thing,” he said.
He also sees the Bengaluru-based unit desperate for that inaugural title in their cabinet and sees this as a great opportunity to finally end the silverware drought which has plagued them for over 16 years.
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“RCB has never won the IPL and they seem to be hungry to win it. This match will help them reach the playoffs. This is a great opportunity, the team’s form is good, there is a hunger to win and senior players like Du Plessis, Siraj and Virat are also performing well,” Lara commented.
However, the Faf du Plessis-led side has been dealt a major loss with their number three batter, Will Jacks exiting the squad along with Reece Topley for national duties ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. But Lara believes that despite the youngsters coming in, RCB has the momentum in their favour and remains confident that they will come out on top in tomorrow’s clash.
“Then the younger players are coming in, they will miss one or two, of the ones who have left. But I believe RCB’s momentum, as we have seen until now, will keep taking them forward in this tournament. I have seen them playing live, against CSK, they will win,” Lara concluded.
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However, it is not as simple as getting a victory for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The weather gods could make the game complicated with rain being expected to play spoilsport tomorrow. If they do play the full 20 overs, RCB will have to beat CSK by 18 runs if they score a target of 200 or chase down a target of 200 in 18.1 overs. But the situation gets even more tricky if the game does get shortened due to showers which will not be ideal for the fans in Bengaluru.
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