Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) became the third team to make it to the playoffs in IPL 2020 on Monday despite suffering a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals (DC).
RCB qualified on the basis of a superior net run rate compared to fourth-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who will now learn their fate on Tuesday after the match between Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ahead of the playoffs, former England captain Michael Vaughan has ruled RCB out of the title race.
Vaughn feels Kohli’s side does not have what it takes to win three knockout games from here and end the wait for their maiden IPL crown this season. RCB have never won the IPL title and are still searching for their maiden triumph.
RCB played some good cricket in the first half of the tournament and picked up important wins to be in the top half of the table. However, their form has slumped recently and the Kohli-led side is currently on a four-match losing streak. Despite needing just one win in their last four games to move to 16 points and confirm their playoffs berth, RCB made it to the top four only after their 6-wicket loss to DC in their final league game of the season.
“Can the RCB team win it this year? I’ve said that from the beginning, I don’t think they’ve got enough collectively to win it,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
“Look anything is possible particularly in 2020, the world’s been turned upside down so who knows what’s gonna happen. Virat Kohli might bat left-handed and win them the game (in a gest) but it’s a tall order,” he further added.
