IPL 8: Challengers look to up ante in Battle Royale
Home side will be fancying their chances to do the double over their opponents
By : sandeep menon
Update: 2015-04-29 02:07 GMT
Bengaluru: Since its inception, Twenty20 cricket has shown that fortune is a fickle friend, and nowhere more so than in the Indian Premier League where the packed schedule and small margins reflect hard and fast on the points table. So, there is little wonder in how the tides have changed for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals in the recent ties.Having struggled for consistency in their opening matches that cost them dearly, the Challengers’ bowling conundrum seems to have sorted itself out with the arrival of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc.
And as they take on league leaders Rajasthan Royals at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium here on Wednesday, the home side will be fancying their chances to do the double over their opponents while their fans will expect more fireworks after their demolition of Delhi Daredevils.With his long strides and a seemingly lethargic action, Starc has stung many a batsman who may at one point have been lulled into a false sense of security. It also shows how much the World Cup man of the series has grown in the last year as the pacer, in addition to adding a fearsome aura, has already bagged seven wickets in three games - half of his tally for the entire previous season.
The up curve in the form of captain Virat Kohli — who seems capable of replicating his 2013 form which saw him amass 634 runs in the tournament — and Chris Gayle also bodes well for the Vijay Mallya-owned side. The promotion of AB de Villiers - a match winner in his accord - up the order at the expense of an out-of-sorts Dinesh Karthik, who is yet to justify his price tag, adds further steam to the RCB juggernaut, who have now climbed to fourth in the table.
The home side will also be monitoring the status of their top wicket taker Yuzvendra Chahal, who is doubtful for the tie with a finger injury. But if there is one stumbling block, it is the Challengers’ home form. Having won just three of their seven home ties last season and yet to open their account in this edition after three straight defeats, the hosts will be keen to rectify their shortcomings in front of their own fans.
Meanwhile, with two back to back loses, including a heartbreaking Super Over defeat to Kings XI Punjab, and their match against Kolkata Knight Riders abandoned due to rain, the away side are struggling to find their dominant show early in the tournament that saw them win their first five matches on the trot. But the Royals, ever the dark horses and wily contenders, have more than enough characters to turn their fortunes around.
The inaugural IPL champions will heavily bank on Orange Cap holder Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith to put runs on the board while an all-round show will be expected from Australia’s Shane Watson and James Faulkner.