Two teams with contrasting form meet in their most important match of the season to date with a last chance to stay in the hunt for IPL glory.
The team that comes out on top goes into the second IPL qualifier while the losers leave with nothing at all.
This match will take place on neutral ground at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad with RCB having won at the venue earlier this term while the Royals haven’t played at the stadium.
To Win Match
Royals 23/20 | Tie 25/1 | Royal Challengers 72/100
The Royals have won just once in their last five matches and went from being a team seemingly guaranteed to finish in the top two, to still scrambling to qualify in the final week.
The Royals have really dropped off even if they finished the group stage with more wins than their opponents in this match.
They’ve been powered by the big runs picked up by Riyan Parag and Sanju Samson which offsets the departure of Jos Buttler to join the England squad.
The Royals still have English star Tom Kohler-Cadmore at their disposal but he hasn’t made a positive impact in the matches he has been afforded so far.
RCB are riding high at the moment after winning six matches in a row to spectacularly snatch a place in the IPL Eliminator at the very last.
It has helped them that their experienced opening pair of Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis have fired and lifted the team with their performances and the belief in the unit is high.
Mohammed Siraj might be the impact player that RCB turn to when they seek to make a difference and he has done well in that role.
RCB have also welcomed back Glenn Maxwell after a long break and will hope that he brings his big-match qualities and shows them.
Verdict: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 72/100
The Royal Challengers have form behind them and should keep that momentum going.
