Bharath Ramaraj
Overview
Two wins and two losses – Royal Challengers Bangalore’s progress report so far. After getting back to winning ways against the bottom-placed Delhi Capitals, the Faf du Plessis-led side would want to string together some victories and gain momentum.
For that to happen, both their engine rooms – batting and bowling units – have to find top gear. If middle and slog-overs bowling was a problem in a couple of games, then it was the batting department that let them down against Delhi as they lost five wickets for 43 runs. Anuj Rawat, who came out to bat at No.8, could manage just 15 off 22 balls. Although Anuj has played lower down the order in domestic cricket, it feels as if he isn’t providing the required firepower at No.7 or 8 in a higher-level competition. Meanwhile, Dinesh Karthik’s struggles against wrist spin are becoming more and more apparent.
One of the few positives on the batting front was Shahbaz Ahmed finding a bit of form. The Bangalore think-tank also would be delighted with the fact that in Vijaykumar Vyshak, they seem to have found a bowler who hits hard lengths. He also seemed to be bowling faster than he normally does for Karnataka.
Standing in Bangalore’s way are familiar foes clad in yellow and led by MS Dhoni – the Chennai Super Kings. Just like Bangalore, the Chennai franchise too have won a couple of matches. But unlike Bangalore, they have something else to worry about – injury woes. Ben Stokes, Sisanda Magala, and Simarjeet Singh are all laid low by injuries. M Pathirana, their Sri Lankan fast bowler, has just recovered from Covid-19. Dhoni himself has been struggling with a niggle or two, even though he has been able to crack some powerful blows with the willow in hand.
Venue and Time
Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. 7.30 PM
Expected conditions and toss
Although a few IPL games have already been played at the Chinnaswamy, the curator is set to produce a wicket offering even bounce. The weather forecast predicts no rain.
Head-to-Head
Chennai hold a 19-10 advantage over Bangalore.
Possible XIs and Impact Player Watch
Chennai could look at Akash Singh, their left-arm bowler, as an Impact Player. Or depending on how the toss goes, throw in a surprise by using Ambati Rayudu as the Impact Player. Meanwhile, Bangalore could again look at Anuj as their sub.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Harshal Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Wayne Parnell, Mohammed Siraj, Vijaykumar Vyshak.
Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C, WK), Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathirana.