Indian Premier League

This is a fascinating encounter between two teams that still harbour hopes of reaching the top four but with games running out, both simply cannot afford to lose. Royal Challengers Bangalore are gaining momentum with every win right now and at home on batting-friendly tracks, they have to be favoured.

It is the Sunrisers Hyderabad who come into this clash with Chennai Super Kings with form on their side having won their last two and the home side having lost their last two.

Both of these teams come into this game in excellent form but it is arguably the Royals who have the greater urgency as they have no real margin for error right now.

Royal Challengers Bangalore are showing signs of life and finding some form to just about keep them alive in the tournament. They know that every match is must-win for them right now and the urgency is bringing the best out of captain Virat Kohli.

This is a crunch match for both of these teams as after sitting in the top four for much of the tournament so far, their recent poor form has seen them drop out. Both teams have major deficiencies in their batting but the Sunrisers’ bowling unit gives them the edge.

Delhi Capitals have enjoyed some fantastic moments in IPL 2019 but the vast majority of those have come on their travels rather than in Delhi where they have struggled on the slower tracks there.

It is difficult to make a case for Rajasthan Royals especially against a quality team like Mumbai Indians. They can only count on Buttler and Stokes for five more days before they return to England for national team duty, so they may be motivated to go out in style as they aim to impress and help earn themselves a contract next year.

Kolkata Knight Riders have lost their last three matches and they need to win this match desperately as do the Royal Challengers Bangalore. KKR will take heart from the fact that they have dominated recent meetings against RCB, winning their last five.

These two teams are evenly matched in many ways, not least the IPL ladder where they are tied on ten points. Delhi Capitals have good form behind them and a bowling attack that is arguably as strong as Mumbai Indians’.

Chennai Super Kings continue to be the standout team in the tournament and they come into this game against Sunrisers Hyderabad who are struggling for form themselves having lost their last three. To compound matters, CSK beat the Sunrisers four times last year including the final, and they dominate the head-to-head record, appearing to have their number.

There will be plenty of spice in this IPL encounter following the Buttler/Ashwin incident in the reverse fixture earlier in the tournament. Both players are so instrumental in their team’s fortunes that it is a duel which could very well decide the match.

There has been a feeling relief around the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp after their win at the weekend and they will be desperate to replicate that performance here. They felt they should have beaten Mumbai in the first match between the two teams which they lost by six runs so they will be keen to avenge that loss.