Lucknow, May 27 -- Royal Challengers Bengaluru stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl against Lucknow Super Giants in the final group stage game of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday.

The clash poses a straightforward equation for RCB and the remaining three qualified playoff sides. A victory in Lucknow will confirm Bengaluru's top-two finish and a Qualifier 1 contest against Punjab Kings on Thursday. At the same time, a defeat will send them straight to the Eliminator clash against the Mumbai Indians on Friday.

On the other hand, Lucknow's season has been a season of two halves. The Super Giants were firm favourites for a top-four finish with five victories in eigh...