Rain gods to determine RCB’s fate in IPL 2024 as Bengaluru braces for wet weather this weekend
May 16, 2024, 16:53 IST
Imagine overturning dismal form, embarking on a remarkable winning run and edging tantalisingly close to your final goal, only to have your aspirations dampened by the capricious whims of the weather. Such is the predicament facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the moment.
From the depths of despair in the first half of the season, RCB rallied magnificently, stringing together an impressive series of victories that have brought them within touching distance of their IPL 2024 playoff aspirations.
Currently positioned sixth in the table with 12 points, their fate now hinges on the outcome of their final league match against third-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This showdown on Saturday (May 18) is poised to be a do-or-die encounter for both teams, with the winner likely securing a coveted playoff berth.
However, should this pivotal encounter in Bengaluru be unceremoniously affected by rain, both teams will be awarded a solitary point each. This outcome would effectively sound the death knell for RCB's playoff dreams.
And the prospect of rainfall looms large indeed, with The Weather Channel India indicating an 80% likelihood of precipitation coupled with the potential for severe thunderstorms over the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday evening.
While a fortunate outcome where rain spares the game appears improbable, it remains within the realm of possibility. Remarkably, such a miracle did unfold during RCB’s victory over Delhi Capitals last Sunday, when rain deluged many areas of Bengaluru but spared the stadium region.
If lightning strikes twice (strictly metaphorically, for RCB’s sake!) and Saturday’s match proceeds as planned, a win would take RCB level on points with CSK. Moreover, achieving victory by a margin of 18 runs or more or chasing the target within 18.1 overs would propel RCB's net run rate above CSK's, thus securing their berth in the playoffs.
If CSK suffer a defeat by a margin of fewer than 18 runs, their net run rate will remain superior to RCB's. However, a more substantial loss would mean CSK will have to rely on SRH losing its remaining games and finishing behind CSK on the run rate. In such a scenario, both CSK and RCB would qualify for the playoffs.
What will happen on this utterly unpredictable day of IPL drama? Only time will tell.
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From the depths of despair in the first half of the season, RCB rallied magnificently, stringing together an impressive series of victories that have brought them within touching distance of their IPL 2024 playoff aspirations.
Currently positioned sixth in the table with 12 points, their fate now hinges on the outcome of their final league match against third-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK). This showdown on Saturday (May 18) is poised to be a do-or-die encounter for both teams, with the winner likely securing a coveted playoff berth.
However, should this pivotal encounter in Bengaluru be unceremoniously affected by rain, both teams will be awarded a solitary point each. This outcome would effectively sound the death knell for RCB's playoff dreams.
And the prospect of rainfall looms large indeed, with The Weather Channel India indicating an 80% likelihood of precipitation coupled with the potential for severe thunderstorms over the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday evening.
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If lightning strikes twice (strictly metaphorically, for RCB’s sake!) and Saturday’s match proceeds as planned, a win would take RCB level on points with CSK. Moreover, achieving victory by a margin of 18 runs or more or chasing the target within 18.1 overs would propel RCB's net run rate above CSK's, thus securing their berth in the playoffs.
If CSK suffer a defeat by a margin of fewer than 18 runs, their net run rate will remain superior to RCB's. However, a more substantial loss would mean CSK will have to rely on SRH losing its remaining games and finishing behind CSK on the run rate. In such a scenario, both CSK and RCB would qualify for the playoffs.
What will happen on this utterly unpredictable day of IPL drama? Only time will tell.