Virat Kohli has been with RCB since the beginning of IPL but has not been able to win a single title.Image Credit source: AFP
New Delhi: 15 seasons of IPL have passed and the 16th is also about to end. Even once in the last 15 seasons, Royal Challengers Bangalore did not get the title. That is, the most successful batsman in IPL history and captain for 9 years Virat Kohli are still empty handed. Now the question is, will his bag remain empty for the 16th time also? Its decision is in his own hands. The champion will be chosen on May 28, but for Kohli, May 21 will be a very important day.
The IPL 2023 season has been the tightest and closest season ever, where the playoff battle went right down to the league matches. Only after the completion of 68 out of 70 matches of the league stage, three of the four playoff teams could be decided. Now only 2 matches are left and these two matches will decide who will be the fourth team. Kohli and his Bangalore team will play the last match in these two as well.
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Bangalore has its own destiny in its hands
By the way, like every team, if Bangalore had not made some mistakes in the initial matches of the season, then perhaps the team would have reached the playoffs by now. This team, captained by Faf Duplesey, however, has kept itself in the competition by winning the last two matches in a row and now its fate is to be decided on Sunday and Bangalore has a good chance to write its own destiny.
A magnificent CENTURY by Virat Kohli 🔥🔥
Take a bow, King Kohli!
His 6th century in the IPL.#TATAIPL #SRHvRCB pic.twitter.com/gd39A6tp5d
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2023
The trouble is, it’s not going to be that easy. Reason- Bangalore’s competition is with the current champion and table topper Gujarat Titans. Like last season, Hardik Pandya’s team has looked the strongest this time too. By the way, there were two matches between the two teams in the last season and the score is equal to 1-1. Now if Bangalore has to reach the playoffs, then it will have to turn this score in its favor on Sunday night.
The only good thing for Bangalore is that they have to play the last match. Before that Mumbai Indians will compete with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Mumbai is also in the playoff race. If Mumbai wins, then Bangalore will have to win at any cost. At present, Bangalore is ahead in net run rate. In the event of a big change from Mumbai’s victory, Bangalore will have to register another big win.
Lest Rajasthan win
If Mumbai loses, then Bangalore will have a chance to reach the playoffs in two ways. The first is clear – win the match. Second- Defeat, but close. In fact, if Bangalore also fails to win after Mumbai’s defeat, then the fate of Rajasthan Royals can open. All three teams have 14 points. Rajasthan is just a little behind Bangalore in this matter. In such a situation, even if Bangalore loses, then it will have to avoid losing more than 5 runs, otherwise the team will remain empty-handed even for the 16th time.
Also read: Why Kohli’s name started echoing in Kolkata?