Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels things are falling in place for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. RCB qualified for the playoffs after beating the reigning champions Chennai Super Kings by 27 runs at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday.
Meanwhile, SRH bested Punjab Kings by four wickets whereas the match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned due to rain on Sunday. Ergo, SRH finished at the second place in the standings to book their Qualifier 1 date with KKR whereas RR ended the league stage at the third place and will take on RCB in the Eliminator.
The inaugural champions have veered off the track at the business end of the tournament, losing their last four matches. Thus, it will be a golden opportunity for RCB to continue their dream march as they have the winning impetus with them, winning their last six games.
“It’s RCB vs RR – a royal encounter. I feel one by one everything is going in favor of RCB because Hyderabad are a dangerous team. Not that RCB can’t beat them, they have done that once at their (SRH’s) own home. However, the truth is – that day the game can go anywhere. I feel they will catch and seize the Rajasthan Royals,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
The renowned commentator noted that it won’t be easy for RCB to go all the way, given the IPL history.
“So RCB are in a happy place playing the Eliminator. It is difficult because it is also true that in the 11-year history of the Eliminator, only once a team that finished third or fourth has won. That was 2016 – SunRisers Hyderabad,” Chopra explained.
On the other hand, Chopra also shed light on Rajasthan Royals’ poor form as the Sanju Samson-led team hasn’t won a game in May.
“The match was washed out and because of that Rajasthan lost the chance they had to reach 18 points. The truth remains that this team hasn’t won even a single match in May. Eight wins in the first nine games and after that not even one. They got four tries. People clear UPSC in four tries and they couldn’t win one match,” he said.
Chopra added that Rajasthan Royals can’t blame the washed-out game for finishing at the third place.
“You can see the one point they got in the end with two viewpoints. You can say your time was bad as a point was snatched from you or else you would have reached No. 2. The second view is that it was good you came after qualifying. Imagine if your qualification had not been confirmed and this one point had sent you out,” Chopra elaborated.
RCB will take on RR in the Eliminator at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
