Bengaluru: In the past, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium had been Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fortress, entrenched, fortified and adored by their red brigade who have stood by them through defeat and disappointment. With the bastion having been breached twice in the last four days, first by Kings XI Punjab and on Sunday by Rajasthan Royals, RCB’s proud record of having won seven of their eight matches at home last season, now counts for nothing.
Given the situation, a fading RCB have to bank on factors not in their control to hold on to the hope of making the playoffs. The home team require a combination of a superlative show from their team, poor performances from their opponents, tons of luck and still hope their stars align well to guide them into the semi-finals!
Or, putting it in more straightforward terms, RCB will have to win all their next five matches, two of which are at home and then hope for the Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad to stumble in their remaining games. With six points from nine matches and a negative run rate, RCB have gone from being a star-studded unit to being a galaxy of stars eclipsed by their own follies. On Tuesday, when they take on bottom-placed Delhi Daredevils, each of the 11 members of Virat Kohl’s team will have to stand up to be counted.
Against the Royals, while Yuvraj Singh shone brightly, a first this season, AB de Villiers has been RCB’s only asset. On the flip side, the immensely talented Kohli’s poor form continues while Chris Gayle’s lack of physical comfort and confidence remains a worrying factor for the hosts. The towering Jamaican is a doubtful starter against Kevin Pietersen’s Daredevils after hurting his shoulder in a nasty fall during the Royals’ chase.
The bowling, which proved to be their Achilles heel in Sunday’s loss, will have to be quickly covered up, with Ashok Dinda and Varun Aaron being a major cause of concern, especially in the death overs. On the other hand, Delhi, who are languishing at the bottom with seven defeats against two wins, will look to restore some pride. As much as the world says that nice men finish last, in sport, those who finish at the bottom are losers of a terrible kind. KP and his men who have been in that position before will not want a repeat.
