Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will rely on their superstars to upstage Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans (GT) and secure a spot in the final four of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 on Thursday. The Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell-starrer side will need to register a massive win over an already qualified Gujarat Titans side in match No. 67 of the IPL 2022 at the famous Wankhede Stadium.
The Bangalore giants are level on points with fourth-placed Delhi Capitals after playing the same number of matches in the league phase. RCB have recorded 7 wins and 6 defeats from 13 matches this season. However, Delhi Capitals have a superior Net Run-Rate (NRR) which can pave the way for Rishabh Pant & Co. to secure a spot in the playoffs if both teams register comprehensive wins.
Previewing RCB’s must-win tie against Gujarat on his YouTube channel, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra explained the qualification scenario of Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2022. Chopra, who represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during his playing days, observed that RCB will not qualify if the Kohli-starrer side ends their league campaign with 14 points.
“If RCB win today, they will reach 16 points and will give themselves a chance to qualify. But even then their qualification won’t be guaranteed as DC can also reach 16 with a win in their last game against Mumbai. So they will need to focus on their net run rate but first think of reaching 16. It is guaranteed that they aren’t going to qualify with just 14 points,” Chopra said.
Chopra wants run-machine Kohli and power-hitter Maxwell to deliver the goods in RCB’s high-voltage clash against Gujarat. “RCB played some great cricket in the initial part of the tournament and they seemed to have great balance. But there comes a time in every tournament when your big players need to step up. So when the likes of Kohli, Faf, Maxwell don’t score runs, the chances of your team winning gets damaged,” he added.
