IPL5: Delhi Daredevils vs Royal Challengers Bangalore - Match Preview
Relaxed after having qualified for the IPL-V playoffs, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils will be up against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at their home ground, Feroz Shah Kotla, today, May 17, 2012.
Daniel Vettori’s Royal Challengers go into today’s game at the back of a five-wicket thrashing from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 Indians a couple of days ago and with the race for playoffs coming to an end, the Bangalore franchise faces a must win situation to stay alive.
On the other side of the coin, table http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-Donald-Topley-c93395 Delhi Daredevils will be looking forward to strengthen their chances of finishing the league stage at the top of the table to avoid the elimination round. The match also provides Sehwag and company an opportunity
to build momentum ahead of the playoffs.
Donned in red, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, finalists of the last season, have not been convincing to say the least. With 15 points from 14 games, they find themselves in a dangerous position and need to win today’s game as well as the one against Deccan
Chargers. A slip-up today would render their last league match against bottom placed Chargers, meaningless.
The fifth bowler cost them again in their previous match against Mumbai Indians, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KA-Pollard-c1754 outclassed the RCB attack sharing an unbeaten stand of 122 runs to take the side home, after having lost half of their team by the ninth
over with only 51 on the board. Part-timers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Appanna-c1805 jointly conceded 58 runs in 3.4 overs.
The RCB bowlers would need to lift up from last match’s drubbing and put up their best bowling performance of the tournament to keep their hopes of making the knock-out stage alive.
Coming to Bangalore’s explosive batting line-up, they have the necessary firepower to set an intimidating total against any attack on their day. Openers Chris Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan have been in epic form so far this season. South African import,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528-led Delhi pace attack.
Like Bangalore, Delhi’s batting also relies heavily on openers David Warner and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Naman-Ojha-c2057’s aggressiveness in the last couple of games has come as a huge boost to the side. Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene’s presence strengthens their
middle-order. Meanwhile, Ross Taylor’s poor form remains a cause of concern for the Delhi management and the side would be hoping the New Zealander hits form ahead of the playoffs.
Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron produced and incisive spell during their previous match against Kings XI http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833 and Sehwag will be hoping the duo to fire against the explosive Delhi line up as well.
The last game played at the Feroz Shah Kotla was a pacers’ affair and one can expect the fast bowlers ruling the perch once again tonight.
Probable XIs:
Delhi Daredevils: 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Varun-Aaron-c2744
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1 Chris Gayle, 2 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Muralitharan-c1864, 11 KP Appanna
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