Stage is all set for the last matches of IPL 2023. Royal Challengers Bangalore would know what exactly is required of them to qualify for the playoffs, when they face table-toppers Gujarat Titans today.
With batting maestro Virat Kohli back at his absolute best and skipper Faf du Plessis leading from the front with 600-plus runs this season, RCB will hope their dazzling opening duo fires in this game for them.
Currently placed at fourth position, RCB also have a better net run rate (NRR) of 0.180 than Mumbai Indians (-0.128), who take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in Sunday’s first game, and Rajasthan Royals.
Besides playing in front of their beloved home crowd that will back them vociferously come Sunday, the other advan- tage for du Plessis’ side is that they feature in the last game of the league round on Sunday evening, by which time RCB would know the outcome of the duel between MI and SRH in Mumbai.
However, it will mean noth- ing if they lose to defending champions Gujarat Titans, a formidable outfit without an iota ofdoubt and led admirably by star all-rounder Hardik Pandya throughout the season, the reward of which is a top- two finish in the league stage with a real chance of retaining the title they won in their inaugural season.