New Delhi: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is all set to witness perhaps the most important match of this year’s IPL. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings will lock horns to get the last available spot for the IPL playoffs.
#RCBvsCSK
Trust me it is Chinnaswamy, home ground of RCB, CSK fans literally own these toxic fan base 💛✨ pic.twitter.com/oKjakgp9iy— theboysthing_ (@Theboysthing) May 18, 2024
However, it is more than the playoffs at stake this time. It can be the last time that the fans will see two superstars of Indian cricket, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli at the loggerheads. The fanbase has already witnessed the last honour lap from Thala when the team played its last home game. Now, there is a possibility that it can turn out to be the last venture for the former Indian skipper as a player.
Toss scenes RCB vs CSK #RCBvsCSK pic.twitter.com/v26Ty89yyP
— Dogesh (@dogesh_bhai) May 18, 2024
On the other hand, the remarks made by Virat Kohli also indicate a similar story to that of Mahi. In an exclusive interview with the Jio Cinema, Kohli said “Mahi bhai and I will be playing again, maybe for the last time, who knows. It’ll be a great moment for fans. We had a great partnership for India over the years. We all know how many matches he’s finished and won the match for the team.” Although Kohli might not hang his boots for right now, his tryst with the franchise might come to an end after 16 long years.
#RCBvsCSK 😭 pic.twitter.com/CM8vkQVUTa
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) May 18, 2024
How can RCB qualify?
Both RCB and CSK have their fates in their own hands. However, with the dicey weather in the context, rain can act as a spoilt sport for the Challengers. Moreover, RCB also need to win the game by a significant margin, considering the fact that RCB is 2 points behind Chennai. Added to that RCB’s net run rate of +0.387 against +0.528 means that RCB needs to win big to tilt this deficit in their favour.
RCB Qualification Scenario for Playoffs in this IPL 2024: pic.twitter.com/k6P9otYZs7
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) May 17, 2024
The worst possible outcome for RCB will be if the match ends in a washout in which case CSK will end up qualifying for the playoffs. Already washed-out results have ended hopes for the Gujarat Titans. Had the Titans defeated SRH in that match, one extra playoff spot would still have been up for grabs. Now, as the dagger hangs looms over the head of RCB, only time will tell what unfolds in Chinnaswamy. However, the fans of both sides will be praying for a full 40-over match to see their icons for one last time.
https://twitter.com/mufaddal_vohra/status/1771348709517021312/video/1
