Favourites RCB to take on ‘upset’ KXIP in a cliffhanger

Kings XI Punjab will hope to put behind the infamous “short-run” decision in their IPL opener and start afresh against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore in Dubai on Thursday. During the 19th over of KXIP’s innings when Mayank Agarwal and Chris Jordan were batting, in a match against Delhi Capitals, the square leg umpire adjudged that a second run taken by England’s Jordan was not complete. Replays showed Jordan’s bat had crossed the line, however the erroneous decision cost KXIP the closely fought game.

On the contrary, RCB opened their campaign with confidence defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad and raising hopes that things might finally fall into place for Kohli’s 11 this season. Debutant Devdutt Padikkal also embarked upon his IPL career on a flamboyant note hitting a much needed half-century.

Speaking about IPL’s Mr. 360, AB de Villiers, all the eyes, with furtive acuity, are focused on
him, as the veteran South African hard-hitter is in a classy touch. 

Besides, Aaron Finch, the Aussie-in-form would be eyeing score some quick runs for his team, leaving the space for the robust middle order to ferry the ship forward. Although RCB’s bowling department— which includes ace bowlers Dale Steyn and the talismanic leggie Yuzavendra Chahal— looks in a decent rhythm, the hole-in-the-boat is the striker Umesh Yadav, who continues to leak runs in the IPL and
might probably be replaced by Mohammad Siraj.

Mayank Agarwal, who looked in imperious touch but was gutted to not be able to get his team over the
line with just one run required to win, would be under the broad spotlight. Rahul, Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran will be expected to do a fine hitting, and Mohammed Shami, who proved his high worth in the team’s opener, would step forward and defend the score. Young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, having impressed against Delhi Capitals, would likely dart on the pitch with uncanny confidence.

In bowling department, in-form pacer Mohammed Shami will once again try to replicate his previous performances where he had returned with impressive figures of 3/15.