Foto

RCB can still qualify for IPL 2019 playoffs: Chahal after Mumbai defeat Sports News

Royal Challengers Bangalore are rooted to the bottom of IPL 2019 points table with seven defeats in eight games ( Courtesy by BCCI ) HIGHLIGHTS RCB lost their seventh match of IPL 2019 in Mumbai against MI on Monday RCB need to win all their remaining matches in IPL 2019 to stand a chance of qualifying for the playoffs Last year a team had qualified with 14 points, so still, we are in the game: Chahal Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal on Monday refused to rule out their chances of reaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 playoffs despite losing a must-win match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

Virat Kohli-led RCB are rooted to the bottom of IPL 2019 points table having won only one of their first eight games of the season. The Bengaluru-based team face need to win all their remaining matches (six) if they are to stand an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

Only four times in the 11-year history of IPL have teams qualified for the playoffs (or the semi-finals) with 14 points after the league stages. Rajasthan Royals were the latest team to do so when they made the playoffs of IPL 2018 after winning seven matches in the group stages.

RCB have 2 points from 8 matches in IPL 2019 and will reach 14 only if they win all their matches from hereon. On Monday, RCB suffered a five-wicket defeat to Mumbai Indians despite AB de Villiers and Moeen Ali smashing quickfire half-centuries.

RCB's bowling attack was found wanting once again as Mumbai gunned down a 172-run target with an over to spare. Leg-spinner Chahal was the lone bright spot in RCB's bowling performance as he finished with figures of 2 for 27.

"If we win the next six games we can qualify. Last year a team had qualified with 14 points, so still, we are in the game. You never know what will happen next," Chahal said in Mumbai.

IPL 2019 points table (After MI vs RCB on April 15) Chahal also lauded Hardik Pandya's performance in MI's five-wicket in. The India all-rounder held his nerves under pressure and smashed 22 runs in the 19th over of the chase bowled by left-arm spinner Pawan Negi.

"The pitch was offering turn and it wasn't easy to score against the spinners. We bowled well till the 18th over barring a couple of bad overs in the Powerplay and still there were two overs and 24 runs (22) left. We had a chance on this track but Hardik did well," Chahal added.

Excited about my maiden World Cup appearance: Chahal

Meanwhile, Chahal also said he is looking forward to representing India in his maiden World Cup appearance. The in-form leggie was named in India's 15-man squad for the quadrennial event, starting May 30 in England and Wales.

"It is my first World Cup, I'm very excited for that. Everyone wants to represent the country in the World Cup, so I'm excited," Chahal said.

Also Read | Scared to bowl against Hardik Pandya at the World Cup: Lasith Malinga Also Read | RCB didn't bowl well in the Powerplay: Hardik Pandya after MI win Also See:

Get real-time alerts and all the news on your phone with the all-new India Today app. Download from Post your comment