'I don’t see RCB falling out of the top two' - Sanjay Bangar after GT's loss to LSG

Sanjay Bangar spoke about Gujarat Titans' loss against Lucknow Super Giants in the 64th match of the IPL 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar. The Jiostar expert felt the 33-run loss of the home side could affect their chances to finish the league stage of the season in the first place.

Bagar said that conceding 235 put the home side on the back foot. However, he praised the efforts of the middle-order batters like Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford, who stepped up after the Top 3 batters could not give their best for the home side. Bangar felt that the Titans would be disappointed by the fact that they could not finish the chase.

The former Indian Batting Coach claimed that a total of 54 runs in the last 4 overs of the innings, with 7 wickets to spare, was doable. Bangar felt that the 2022 champions would hope to win their last match of the league stage and expect Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings not to have more points than them to play the Qualifier 1.

'Punjab Kings can certainly grab it' - Sanjay Bangar on Qualifier 1 spot

"Conceding 235 put the game slightly out of reach. But the middle order – especially Rutherford and Shahrukh – brought them close. At 24 balls and 54 runs needed with 7 wickets in hand, you'd back the batting side these days. They’ll be disappointed not to finish stronger. Now, they must win the final game and hope two other teams drop points. This loss could push them to third or even fourth on the table," said Bangar on JioHotstar.

He then regarded RCB as the favourites to finish at the top of the table. Bangar added that the second spot for Qualifier 1 is wide open and did not rule out the chances of the Punjab Kings getting there.

"I don’t see RCB falling out of the top two. The second spot, however, is still wide open – Punjab Kings can certainly grab it," added Bangar.