Royal Challengers Bangalore would face a stern test from MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings as the latter would look to consolidate their numero uno position at the top.
Royal Challengers Bangalore would face a stern test from MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings as the latter would look to consolidate their numero uno position at the top even as Royal Challengers Bangalore try to stay afloat when the two sides meet for the first time this IPL season on Sunday.
Dhoni’s men, the 2010 and 2011 winners, are currently second on the IPL table with eight wins from 10 matches, while Bangalore are third from bottom after managing just four wins in their 10 games. Even though the CSK outfit has faced problems outside the field, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his yellow brigade men have notched up wins in their last two outings. Their most recent triumph was against the Rajasthan Royals when the team romped home with ease after restricting the visiting side to 148.
CSK boast power-hitters in their ranks with the likes Dwayne Smith, Brendon McCullum, Faf du Plessis and Dhoni himself. CSK are among the favourites to go the distance and lift the trophy. The losses they have suffered this season have come against the Kings XI Punjab. But against all other teams, CSK have pulled off victories without much hassle. Their bowling attack is not exactly star-studded but the likes of Mohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Hilfenhaus have bowled well. In Ranvindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, CSK have the spin options which have proved to be handy in the tournament so far.
On the other hand, Bangalore have been been lacklustre so far. Even though they managed to get the better of the lowly Delhi Daredevils in their previous match, the Virat Kohli-led side have been boosted by the emergence of Yuvraj Singh. His 29-ball 69 against Delhi put an end to RCB`s woes as the southpaw hit back at his critics with an all-round performance.
With Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli in the side, RCB can be destructive with the bat on any given day. On the bowling front, pacer Mitchell Starc and veteran spinner Muttiah Muralitharan have continued to provide a stable performance.
Teams:
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli (captain), AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, Mitchell Starc, Albie Morkel, Varun Aaron, Ashok Dinda, Parthiv Patel, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ravi Rampaul, Rilee Rossouw, Harshal Patel, Vijay Zol, Abu Nechim, Sachin Rana, Shadab Jakati, Sandeep Warrier, Tanmay Mishra, Yogesh Takawale, Yuzwendra Chahal.
Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (c), Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Ashish Nehra, Mohit Sharma, Samuel Badree, Ben Hilfenhaus, Matt Henry, B Aparajith, Mithun Manhas, Ishwar Pandey, Pawan Negi, Vijay Shankar, Ronit More, John Hastings.
