IPL5: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 - Match Preview
Having found their feet early this season, the low-ranked Pune http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Warriors-c861 India are all set to take on the struggling Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 21st match of the ongoing fifth edition of the Indian Premier League at the latter’s home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, today, April 17, 2012.
The Sourav Ganguly-led Pune Warriors came into the esteemed tournament as underdogs, while donned in red, the Royal Challengers Bangalore were deemed to be one of the favourites. However, the pre-tournament predictions have been off the mark.
RCB, one of IPL’s most consistent teams, kick-started their IPL 2012 campaign on a victorious note, defeating http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals at home.
Due to lack of all-rounders in their line-up, RCB’s batting heavily relies on Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Robert-Border-c43726 de Villiers. The hosts will once again be looking towards Chris Gayle to do most of the work at the top of the order.
After falling cheaply against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, the pressure of putting a handsome total on the board will be on Gayle at the top and AB de Villiers in the middle.
The fifth bowler has been the major cause for concern for the Bangalore based franchise, as they leaked 43 runs in the final two overs in the dramatic five-wicket loss to Chennai last Thursday. During the 59-run humiliation against Royals a couple of days ago, RCB part-timers leaked 69 runs. The problem is likely to continue in another couple of games as Chris Gayle has not still recovered from the groin injury to take the ball. Vettori tried the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 all-rounder against Rajasthan Royals on Sunday, but rued the decision later as Gayle leaked 21 runs in six balls.
The 28-year-old left-arm http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashok-Aravind-c46347, who had an impressive season last year, looked out of sorts on Sunday, as he conceded runs at an average of 16 in his spell of three overs, without claiming even a single scalp. Vinay Kumar has also been quite unimpressive so far this season. So the duo is likely to come under selectors’ knife on Tuesday.
Fresh from a morale boosting win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings at home, Ganguly’s boys will be eager to keep the winning momentum intact when they play the bruised and battered Royal Challengers at Bengaluru on Tuesday night.
The Warriors finally seem to have discovered their best batting order with Jesse Ryder and Robin Uthappa opening for them and Sourav Ganguly bolstering the top order at number 3. Marlon Samuels and Steven Smith comprise their middle-order and have shown in the previous games glimpses of what they are capable of.
Pune’s bowling arsenal looks quite settled with Ashok Dinda and Ashish Nehra doing well with the new ball. Murali Kartik and Rahul Sharma have been complementing the new-ball duo quite well in the middle overs.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has produced high-scoring games over the last week and is expected to turn out to be a batting paradise when RCB and PWI clash here on Tuesday night.
Tuesday’s match against upbeat Warriors will be vital for the hosts, as after three successive defeats, home and away, they are desperate for a win to get themselves back on track.
Probable XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Vinay-Kumar-c2237, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan
Pune Warriors India: 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashok-Dinda-c1098
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