Hello
and welcome to the live coverage of the highly awaited contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings. In a virtual knockout match, RCB host their Southern rivals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. But rain threat looms large over the match no. 68 in Bengaluru.
RCB's fairytale resurgent run will be up against the might of five-time champions CSK and the weather gods in the epic do-or-die match to decide the fourth and final team for the IPL play-offs.
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.
Boasting of a better net run-rate and more points, defending champions CSK (13 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.
However, what has heightened the drama surrounding the game is the forecast of rain. A washout will take CSK through to the playoffs. If RCB bat first and score 200, they should win by 18 runs or more or chase down the target of 200-plus with 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.
They've staged a spectacular comeback, securing five straight wins after enduring a six-match losing streak.
Orange Cap holder Kohli has been in phenomenal form with three fifties in last five innings as he is poised to ignite the field with yet another stellar show.
They will hope that skipper Faf du Plessis is back among runs, having capped single digit scores in his last two outings.
For CSK, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the team's top run-scorer this season and is expected to give them a fine start.
The inspiring presence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni will continue to be a factor for the side but it remains to be seen how big a role he is able to play given some nagging injury concerns.
Stay tuned as we bring you all the action. Toss is scheduled to be held at 7:00pm IST.
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