A question mark hanging over their play-off chances, Royal Challengers Bangalore return to the comfort of home as they clash with Kings XI Punjab in a crucial Pepsi IPL match, here tomorrow.
Four defeats in their last six matches have landed them in a situation where they must win their penultimate contest, otherwise not only they will have to win their last match but also pray that results of some other matches go their way.
Bangalore have played their last six matches away from home and returning to the familiar conditions, where they have not lost a single match, would be a comforting factor.
The last time they played at Chinnaswamy stadium was on April 23 when they trounced Pune Warriors by 130 runs. After that they have travelled to six different venues and managed just two wins.
The recent five-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders in Ranchi on a very slow pitch, hurt them badly as it gives Sunrisers Hyderabad a chance to snatch fourth position from them. Hyderabad play Mumbai in an away contest today.
And RCB are now playing an opponent, which they had no mat in their last meeting but a hurricane knock by David Miller pulled the rug from under their feet.
Bangalore would like to return the compliment when they host Punjab and they would find themselves in a hole if they don't win tomorrow as the visitors are also fancying an outside chance by winning their remaining three matches to get to 16 points.
With 16 points and currently at the fourth spot, RCB have to win their remaining two games to make it to the play-offs as Sunrisers Hyderabad (16 points) and KKR (12) also stand a chance to qualify, provided they win their remaining games.
RCB captain Virat Kohli would expect orange-cap holder Chris Gayle to explode with his bat in this game as the West Indian has been quiet in last few matches.
