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After more than 50 days of exhillerating action in IPL 2023, we have come to the last day of the league stage. Today (Sunday, May 21) is a double-header day and the stakes are extremely high as there is still one play-off berth up for grabs.
The first game of today's double header is between the Sunrisers Hyderbad (SRH) and the Mumbai Indians (MI). SRH are out of contention but MI are still in with a chance to qualify and will look to bring their A-game to the fore.
After this clash, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will host the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in what is another huge game in terms of qualification. GT have already made it to the playoffs but RCB are not there yet. They still have their fate in their own hands and also have the advantage of playing the last game of the league stage.
A win should be enough for them to go through but it will not be easy considering the strength of the opposition. The defending champions, Gujarat been the best team so far in IPL 2023 will look to enter the playoffs with some momentum.
Here, we look at three things that RCB need to do right to defeat the Titans tonight.
#1. The middle order needs to step up
Ahead of the season, RCB's middle-order looked vulnerable and fragile and that hasn't changed. RCB's batting this season has been largely dependent on their three stars, KGF - Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis. The trio have performed remarkably well with the bat which has allowed RCB to make progress despite having arguably the weakest middle-order among all the ten teams.
They have tried quite a few players like Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai and Kedar Jadhav but none of them have inspired too much confidence. Lomror played a couple of good knocks while Rawat played one sensational cameo but apart from these three innings, the middle-order hasn't contributed much. To add to it, Dinesh Karthink, who had an outstanding season last year, has struggled this season which has put even more pressure on the Top 3.
RCB will desperately hope (once again) that the middle-order step up and contribute well because there could be a situation wherein the big three are dismissed early. The stakes are high and the middle-order must fire if RCB are to get the better of the table-toppers.
#2. Finishing touches
There have been quite a few occasions in IPL 2023 where RCB got off to a fantastic start thanks to KGF but failed to finish on a high. Dinesh Karthik was the designated finisher ahead of the season but he has had a tough time so far this year, which has been one of the reasons behind RCB's poor performances in the backend of the innings. Skipper Faf has himself acknowledged that RCB's poor finishing has dented them on a few occasions.
A couple of games ago, Anuj Rawat played a sensational cameo against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and we could see the impact that it had on the team in terms of confidence. The franchise will hope for Karthik's return to form and that others like Rawat and Michael Bracewell (or Wanindu Hasaranga) will also look to fulfill that role.
#3. Bowling in the middle overs and death
RCB have been one of the best bowing sides as far as the powerplay is concerned and the main reason for that has been the sensational form of Mohammed Siraj. Siraj has been outstanding in the powerplay which has often helped RCB put the opposition on the backfoot early on.
However, teams have found a way to get back into the game after the powerplay and that has largely been due to RCB's inconsistent bowling in the middle-overs and the death.
Against a strong GT middle-order comprising the likes of Hardik Pandya and David Miller, RCB's task will be cut-out. The likes of Wayne Parnell and Harshal Patel have been inconsistent this year and they'll need to get their act together tonight to ensure that the pressure that is applied during the powerplay remains intact.
