RCB hope to qualify as they take on top seed GT in match no 67

(Cricket news) After KKR’s loss yesterday the fight for the last place is now between RCB and DC. With 14 points to their name, RCB will be aiming to defeat table-toppers GT comprehensively in their final game of the league phase to give themselves the best chance of progressing into the playoffs. But if they lose, it would be an exit door for the franchise as they have a negative NRR of -.323. Even if RCB emerge victorious they won’t be guaranteed a place in the top 4 considering their poor net run rate.

RCB’s main concern this season has been the topsy turvy form of Virat Kohli as he needs to score runs at the top of the order if RCB are to win big against the table topper Gujarat. RCB may need one of their big three Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell to play a match winning innings. The other silver lining is that Rajat Patidar is making the number three spot his own with useful contributions and Mahipal Lormor is also making useful contributions with the bat this season. Dinesh Karthik will again be the key batsman heading into the match, a lot will rest on his shoulder to finish the innings for RCB. On a positive note, Wanindu Hasaranga has bagged 23 wickets so far and is subsequently the second highest wicket taker this season. In the pace department Josh Hazelwood needs to bounce back after ending up with sorry figures of 0 for 64 from four overs as Johnny Bairstow went on a six-hitting spree against him, on the other hand, Siraj has conceded 85 runs in his last seven overs in this IPL as he needs to improve his death bowling.

GT have already qualified for the playoffs and will try some different combinations and permutation before playing the first qualifier in Kolkata. Wriddhiman Saha has provided them with much needed impetus in the Powerplay over the last few games while Shubman Gill has compiled over 400 runs this season as their opening combination has been one of the main reasons for their success. One of the worries for the side is the form of their skipper Hardik Pandya, who has scored only 56 runs in his last six matches after his blistering start to the season. In the bowling department, Rashid Khan is finally getting back to his deadly best as he has picked up seven wickets in his last three matches. GT's seamers have been brilliant this season with the new ball, taking 25 wickets in the PowerPlay this season, Shami alone has taken 11 wickets in the powerplay. Rashid Khan vs Dinesh Karthik will be an interesting battle as Rashid has dislodged Karthik three times and given away only 30 runs off 28 balls.

Pitch and weather report: The Wankhede pitch has been a high scoring venue this season like we saw in the last match, SRH vs MI. The decks at the Wankhede have tended to offer spongy bounce through the course of the tournament and batters find it difficult to bat early on. The temperature is going to hover around 30 degrees with no chance of rain as dew may play a factor in the second innings.

Interesting facts:

GT seamers have the best death overs economy rate in IPL 2022.
RCB and GT are undefeated at the Wankhede Stadium this season with
Titans have hit the fewest sixes (59) in this year's IPL but the most fours (210).
Saha has a strike rate of 138.40 in the powerplay this season.
Mohammed Shami has dismissed Kohli five times in 60 balls and conceded only 80 runs.
Rahul Tewatia has hit Harshal Patel for 40 runs off 21 balls without getting dismissed
Maxwell has the highest strike rate (200.00) against spinners
Virat Kohli needs one catch to reach 150 catches in T20 cricket.
Mohammad Shami requires three wickets to reach 100 wickets in the IPL

Also read: LSG pull-off last ball thriller after de Kock's sensational hundred

Probable XI for RCB:

1 Virat Kohli, 2 Faf du Plessis (capt), 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Mahipal Lomror, 6 Shahbaz Ahmed, 7 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 8 Harshal Patel, 9 Wanindu Hasaranga, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Probable XI for GT:

1 Shubman Gill, 2 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3 Matthew Wade, 4 Hardik Pandya (capt), 5 David Miller, 6 Rahul Tewatia, 7 Rashid Khan, 8 R Sai Kishore, 9 Lockie Ferguson/Alzarri Joseph, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Pradeep Sangwan/Yash Dayal