The less said the better. The two teams that are languishing at the bottom half of the table will be hoping against hope when they face off at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday. More than Delhi Daredevils, hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore have more at stake from here on.
Though their chances of qualifying for the last four stage look dim at this stage of the event, RCB, in some corner of their heart, will be hoping of a big turnaround to stay in the reckoning.
But given their performances in the league so far, it looks unlikely. Their batting, which has only come good in patches, has caved in under pressure in most of the matches. Bowling, too, has looked pedestrian. Barring Yuzvendra Chahal, who has been the most impressive with his fastish leg-breaks, all the others have been found wanting.
If their clash against Rajasthan Royals was any indication, the RCB think-tank will have many sleepless nights, considering they have five more matches left including the one immediate one against Daredevils.
From a near-winning position, they squandered the opportunity. With due regards to Steve Smith and James Faulkner, both of whom played superbly under pressure, RCB could have used their bowlers carefully towards the end.
With nothing to boast of from their nine matches that they have played so far, Daredevils, at best, can think of improving their position and learn from their mistakes. Having lost seven of their nine matches so far, DD, who have no chance of qualifying, will be playing for pride than anything else.
Given this scenario, the clash between the two may not generate much interest among the cricket aficionados. Having said that, nothing can be taken for granted. Slightly better placed than their opponents at the moment, RCB will have to win all their remaining five matches and leave the rest to their fate.
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