Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore: Match Preview
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals are padded up to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Chennai, in the 55th match of the Indian Premier League today, May 11.
For Rajasthan, which holds 5th position on the points table, it is going to be a make or break game. The Bangalore side, being ranked 4th, stands more comfortably.
The two teams met at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the 20th game on April 19, but the match was abandoned and each side got one point.
Leaders in light
Shane Warne: The RR is led by an ex-skipper of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and one of the top-ranked spinners, Shane Warne. He has been leading the side since the first edition of the IPL. Under his leadership, the RR won the inaugural season.
Warne started the fourth season on a winning note, defeating DC and DD consecutively. Warne is well-known for deriving the best out of ordinary personnel. With magic in his old fingers, Warne bowls well as it is evident from his 2/21 and 2/17 in the first
two games of the tournament.
Daniel Vettori: The Bangalore side is being led by the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 skipper, Daniel Vettori. With his left-hand batting and left-arm orthodox spin, he is a master of the shorter formats of the game.
Vettori has a handsome experience of captaincy, since he has been leading his national side successfully. In previous editions of the IPL, he represented http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils. However, his form has been a matter of concern lately.
Players to Watch-out for
Bangalore:
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zaheer-Khan-c98451: A brash and brilliant Indian pacer who has recently been nominated for the Arjuna Award in lieu of his extra-ordinary talent and on-field consistency.
The pacer emerged from the World Cup campaign as the second highest wicket taker with 21 wickets.
Zaheer is a reliable bowler and has mastery over making breakthrough in crucial and critical times.
Chris Gayle: The Carribean batting rock-star, joined the side in the midst of the tournament and scored a magnificent century in the very first game to steer his side to win.
He has been a consistent opener so far and is likely to extend his dominating performance further.
Rajashtan:
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Johan-Botha-c67173: South African all-rounder who smashed 67 in the very first game of the tournament. Botha has a batting average of over 50 in the ongoing tournament. The Rajasthan players call him a “100% cricketer”.
Ross Taylor: The young and talented Kiwi batsman who stunned the world by lashing 131 off 124 balls in a group game of the World Cup against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 is delivering match-winning performances in this tournament as well.
Pitch condition
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium is a well-constructed venue. The pitch is somewhat dry but dew factors matters a lot here. The outfield is well-covered with grass. Due to the prevailing summer season, the temperature is likely to be 30 - 41° C.
As it is a neutral venue, there will be no home ground factor.
Last Word
It will be a thrilling and rip-roaring competition as both the sides are h**l-bent upon winning. The crowd will be huge. Rajasthan will have to put more focus on their bowling offense against Gayle.
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