After a dismal outing against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will be eager to get back on track when they take on an inconsistent Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their return fixture of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season at the Dubai International Cricket stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Though RCB remain static at third spot in the standings despite enduring an eightwicket loss against KXIP on Thursday, Kohli & Co need to tighten their seat belts as the league is now heading towards its business end. RCB tinkered with the batting line-up against Punjab and it backfired completely.
An in-form AB de Villiers was demoted to number six while Shivam Dube was promoted up the order. However, the ploy didn’t work. Opener Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, skipper Kohli and De Villiers are in fine touch with the bat and the RCB team management needs to restore their factory settings against Royals as their experiments cost them two crucial points.
RCB’s bowlers too faltered, against KXIP but with the likes of Chris Morris, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Isuru Udana and Washington Sundar, they are capable of making a comeback. Undoubtedly, the side has fired in unison so far, barring the game against KXIP, and once again, they need to click as a unit. On the other hand, the Steve Simth-led RR boasts of a strong batting line-up.
However, Smith, Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler have failed to keep the momentum going. Samson and Smith were clinical in their two outings earlier in Sharjah but a change in venue also saw a dip in their form. Buttler too has been unable to capitalise on his starts, managing a lone halfcentury from seven innings. Stokes’s addition has also boosted their bowling attack and remains to be seen how quickly he gets into the act with Archer. Despite a poor show in the first-half, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have once again proved why they are a t e a m wh o s e presence can’t be neglected.
The MS Dhoniled side managed to garner a much-needed win against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to keep their playoffs hopes alive and will now aim to consolidate their position when they face a confidentlooking Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday evening. Dhoni’s decisions, which were heavily criticised earlier, finally clicked in their last game and the three-time champions will certainly aim to stick to their plans.
While Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu are in good form, CSK’s ploy of promoting Sam Curran up the order also worked as the all-rounder handed an ideal start to his side with a 31-run knock against SRH. CSK meanwhile, would also aim to avenge their previous defeat when they suffered a 44- run hammering by Iyer’s boys on September 25.
