Bengaluru: We often hear athletes talk about momentum and how important it is. When the tide is going their way, even mistakes go unpunished.
But if there is a disruption, things often take a wrong turn. We see a well-set batter getting out right after drinks breaks, a bowler losing his rhythm if there’s a stoppage… Royal Challengers Bengaluru had momentum going their way before the IPL was brought to a sudden halt a week ago owing to the India-Pakistan military stand-off.
When the league was paused, they were on 16 points from 11 matches, their away form had been staggering, they had begun to decode the home turf too and were on the verge of securing a place in the play-offs.
RCB will now hope to ensure that none of the momentum is lost when they take on a beleaguered Kolkata Knight Riders at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday as the league resumes for its business-end action. The game is of high importance for RCB because a win should seal their entry into the playe-offs for a second successive season.
For that to happen, weather Gods also need kind to RCB. It has been raining almost every evening and night since Tuesday in the City and the forecast for Saturday is similar. The only relief is that the rainfall is expected to be intense for an hour or so before tapering off.
Weather aside, things have fallen beautifully for RCB this season and it’s all about giving that final thrust where the three-time runners-up have been found wanting over the years. With most of the foreigners back and Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar having successfully recovered from their illness and injuries respectively, RCB have solid firepower in the batting.
Although the in-form one-drop Devdutt Padikkal will be missed due to injury, his replacement Mayank Agarwal can easily slip into that role. Agarwal is a seasoned pro who sadly couldn’t find any takers at the auction last November and the Bengalurean, if he gets a chance, will be determined to show that there’s a lot of cricket still left in his tank.
The game could also witness a festive atmosphere, primarily because of Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket earlier this week. Having played all his IPL for RCB, Kohli is adored here by a legion of fans. Hundreds of them waited outside the stadium’s main gate on Friday for hours just to get a glimpse of their beloved superstar and the buzz is many are planning to wear whites on match day following an online chorus to show their admiration.
Defending champions Kolkata, who have been erratic this season, will be aware of all this and they’ll be hoping not just to keep their slim play-offs alive but hurt RCB’s chances of finishing 1-2 that gives an extra opportunity to qualify for the final. They have often stung RCB, especially Sunil Narine with his blistering batting, and they’ll be hoping to replicate the same.
Royal Challengers, having beaten KKR in the season-opener at Eden Gardens, however, will be determined for a double.