Desperate RCB seek victory

PUNE: The 2018 Indian Premier League tournament has reached the stage where the gap between the top and bottom placed teams has started to get bigger.

The next couple of rounds are going to be make-or-break, where the every contestant will look to consolidate.

It’s in this backdrop that the Chennai Super Kings host the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The yellow brigade is back at the familiar position, occupying second spot in the league table with six wins from nine matches. But, after defeats in their last two outings they are in danger of losing their early momentum and would be wary of being dragged any further down the table.

For Royal Challengers Bangalore, the situation is more desperate. They are just about hanging close to the top-four, and any more reversals will signal their death knell.

Precariously placed at No 5, Total matches

Virat Kohli’s men have themselves to blame. Despite having six home matches in the first-leg, they have just three wins to show for after eight rounds.

The last time the two teams met in Bangalore RCB had the game in their bag when they reduced CSK to 72 for four in 9.1 overs after piling 205. To the stunned disbelief of the Chidambaram Stadium crowd, MS Dhoni played a trademark innings, smashing an unbeaten 70 off 34 balls to power CSK home with two balls to spare.

Both outfits are studded with strokeplayers and they should love the Pune wicket. Out of their three innings at their adopted homeground, CSK have crossed 200 twice. In their previous outing here, Dhoni & Co amassed 211 for four. Yet, Delhi Daredevils’ young brigade gave them a scare, finishing on 198 for five.

Chennai Royal Super Kings Challengers Bangalore7 No result