Whatever the outcome of the two matches that are scheduled to be played on Monday, the Lions and RCB will go into the game occupying the bottom two positions in the qualifying table, being the only sides that have so far failed to win at least two fixtures. The Lions have managed one win in four outings, while RCB have one win from their five fixtures to date.
The Lions couldn’t have wished for a better debut season in the IPL in 2016, when they finished third, but this season they have struggled to find the same level of consistency.
Back to back defeats to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home and then away to the Sunrisers Hyderabad, was followed by their solitary success this campaign, a home victory against the Rising Pune Supergiant. However, a 7-wicket loss to the Mumbai Indians on Sunday, leaves the Lions floundering in seventh position.
RCB who were runners-up in 2016 have managed just one win, against the Delhi Daredevils, and sit at the very foot of the table.
While the return of the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, who missed the first two games with a shoulder injury, has given RCB a boost, too many of their big name players have yet to produce the performances expected of them. Illustrated perfectly, by the mercurial West Indian opener, Chris Gayle, who has scored just 60 runs in three innings.
The Lions also have some destructive hitters at the top of their order, all of whom have fired at some stage this season. However, the likes of Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch, Raina and Dinesh Karthik are yet to produce the goods in the same game.