RCB’s fairytale resurgent run is up against the might of five-time champions CSK and the weather gods as the two sides lock horns in an epic do-or-die match for the fourth and final spot for the IPL play-offs.
There is a 60 percent chance of rain around the match start time in the RCB vs CSK game.
Thursday’s washout in Hyderabad meant that Sunrisers Hyderabad joined Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals as the three confirmed teams for the playoffs and the race is now for only one spot with two teams in fray — CSK and RCB.
Rain is expected to cause disruptions in the marquee game. But the good so far has been that there has been no rain since Saturday morning.
It has been a bit cloudy but mostly sunny since Saturday morning in Bengaluru, but latest updates show that there is a 40 percent chance of rain between 6 and 9 pm IST.
Boasting of a better net run-rate and more points, defending champions CSK (14 points, NRR 0.528) start favourites at a venue where they have lost to the home side only once in eight matches. RCB has 12 points and a net run-rate of 0.387.
A washout will take CSK through to the playoffs, while RCB will need to win by at least 18 runs or chase the target with about 11 balls to spare.
The odds are therefore stacked against the home side, which is the most in-form unit in the tournament’s final stretch.
(With inputs from PTI)