Rain adds to Challengers' woes

When it rains, it pours. With each game this season, the Royal Challengers Bangalore had a fresh problem to counter. Being placed at the bottom of the table at the half-way stage of the tournament, the last thing they needed was weather to play spoilsport.

Following a forgettable outing against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, the Challengers’ campaign was further dealt a blow when their encounter against the Sunrisers Hyderabad was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to incessant rain here on Tuesday.

The near-capacity crowd at the Chinnaswamy stadium were left disappointed and both teams were rewarded a point each.

With the availability of the SubAir system, through which the match can begin ten minutes after the stoppage of rain, there was a possibility of atleast a shortened game. However, the intensity of rain increased three hours post the scheduled time, denying a chance of a five-over a side encounter and forcing the umpire to call off the game. It was the first instance of a match being cancelled due to rain in this edition.

Sunrisers had earlier defeated RCB by 35 runs runs at home in the inaugural match of the competition on April 5.

RCB now move up to sixth with five points from eight games with a net run rate of -1.21. Delhi Daredevils and Gujarat Lions, with four points each, are placed below the Challengers. Both Daredevils (six matches) and Lions (seven) though have played lesser games than RCB and their run-rate too is better than the Bengaluru side’s. 

Sunrisers remain in the third spot from eight games with nine points under their belt. The tie against the Sunrisers was an opportunity for the Challengers to get full points and also improve their net run-rate but following Tuesday’s result, RCB’s journey ahead has only become tougher.

Virat Kohli’s men continue to remain in a must-win scenario in their remaining six games and they would be praying that rain gods are kind to them. They would also be following the progress of their opponents since all eight sides are still in fray to progress into the play-offs.

Incidentally, on the same day five years ago at the Chinnaswamy, RCB’s tie against the Chennai Super Kings was also washed out due to rain. RCB next face Suresh Raina-led Gujarat Lions here on Thursday.
DH News Service