IPL 8 Match Preview: RCB a win away from playoffs

A win will take Bangalore to play-offs. On the Chinnaswamy featherbeds, they start as big favourites.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (beat SRH)

What went right: A target of 81 off six overs was a very tall order, especially against Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling. Bangalore overcame the odds by sheer talent. Chris Gayle fired the opening salvo with a 10-ball 35. Virat Kohli played a captain’s knock to take his side home. Bangalore have match-winners aplenty in their ranks, and it gives them a big advantage in pressure situations.

What went wrong: Fielding. Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan dropped sitters and Harshal Patel missed a run out at arm’s length. Moises Henriques was the beneficiary. RCB nearly paid for the mistakes.

Delhi Daredevils (beat CSK)

Story continues below this ad

What went right: Delhi Daredevils played one of their better matches against Chennai Super Kings. They bowled brilliantly to restrict the table-toppers for 119. Zaheer Khan rolled back the years, returning with 2/9 in four overs. Shreyas Iyer, however, is the biggest positive for Delhi this season. The youngster showed class during his 70 not out off 49 balls on a difficult surface.

What Went Wrong: It has been another season of failure for Delhi and a resounding win over Chennai doesn’t change that. Selections have had been strange at times. Nothing justified Nathan Coulter-Nile’s omission in the last game.

Conclusion

A win will take Bangalore to play-offs. On the Chinnaswamy featherbeds, they start as big favourites.

Get latest updates on IPL 2025 from IPL Points Table to Teams, Schedule, Most Runs and Most Wickets along with live cricket score updates for all matches. Also get Sports news and more cricket updates.