'Out-of-form' RCB hosts 'in-form' Pune Warriors

When the season started, everyone, by merely looking at the squad of the Pune Warriors would have termed them as underdogs and deemed Bangalore as favorites to win the nine horse race. Things are exactly the opposite now, with the men from Maharashtra proving they’re no less than the other teams with an all-round display which has made them an annihilating force. RCB on the other hand, have had a lot of problems, winning their first game and falling prey in the next 3. Dada’s boys on the other hand, have done their jobs in their respective departments which has seem them upset the top teams, including the likes of Mumbai and Chennai. Both teams are on opposite ends of the equation, with the Warriors having won 3 out of the 4 games they’ve played while Vettori’s team has lost 3 of the 4 matches they’ve featured in. A win today at the Chinnaswamy stadium, would help Pune gain further momentum, while the Royal Challengers would look to do all they can, to prevent that from happening.

Head to Head: Of the one game that the two teams have played against each other, Bangalore lead the charge, while Pune would be looking to square it, tonight.

Key Players:

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Mayank Agarwal

The youngster has been in fine form over the past few games, giving the Challengers the start they require, though it never really hit off from there. But if Gayle takes over the hitting today, this lad may get to play a long and composed innings.

Muttiah Muralitharan

The Sri Lankan has proved that cricket has no age limit with his brilliant fielding and dives all around the ground. His bowling of course, has the batsmen trying to figure out how to stay at the pitch and he is the highest wicket taker in the team, so far.

Saurabh Tiwary

After having shot to fame with the Mumbai Indians, he has failed to find his sweet spot with the bat for the Challengers. Part of the reason could be that the top order has failed mostly, and he is brought onto the field in a situation where he’s confused – whether to hit out or keep his wicket. This wasn’t the case when he played with Ambani’s team as they had a very reliable batting line-up led by the Master Blaster, which made him come out to the crease when the team was in a comfortable position, and let him do what he does best: smack the ball. A good top order performance today, would ease the pressure on him to perform.

Pune Warriors India

Jesse Ryder

The Kiwi led the way for the team against the defending champions in the last game and would hope to keep his good form going. Being pretty explosive once he starts off, Zaheer Khan and Vinay Kumar would be hoping to see him make the long walk back within the first few overs.

Angelo Mathews

He has already been termed as one of the best all-rounders of modern cricket, and he wouldn’t want to let that tag slip away. Proving to be as reliable with the bat as with the ball, he is very effective in the middle overs and has proved to be a clinical finisher as well.

Ashok Dinda

The pace and bounce that the Bangalore pitch has to offer will be to his liking and a quick early wicket would always be welcome to the team. Facing Chris Gayle right at the start, it would be a battle for the young man, but dislodging the big Jamaican’s stumps would be his main focus.

Game Changer: Spinners would have a huge say in today’s game. With Rahul Sharma enjoying his consistent form with the warriors, he faces stiff competition from the duo of Daniel Vettori and Muttiah Muralitharan,who are few of the best in the spin department. Though the two haven’t hit it off together yet, the right handed wrist spin and the left handed finger spin combination, is as difficult to play, as it sounds.

Weather: Light thunderstorms likely, but an uninterrupted game on the cards, say the meteorologists.

Prediction: Riding on the back of three defeats, RCB are sure to go all out in this one, to give the fans something to cheer about.