IPL 9: RCB face Supergiants in clash of bottom dwellers

RCB’s Virat Kohli runs for cover as it pours at the Chinnaswamy on the eve of the clash against Pune. (Photo: Shashidhar B.)

It’s been a tough journey for the two Indian captains so far in the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League. While Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s debutantes Rising Pune Supergiants have been badly effected by injuries and inconsistency, Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore have struggled to live up to their favourites tag. RCB failed to find the balance between bowling and batting.

With the season almost at the halfway mark, the encounter between the two sides at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday could prove to be the spark that kick starts their campaign.

The home side are currently second last in the table with five defeats in seven matches while the visitors sit one spot ahead on sixth with six points, two more than RCB, following six defeats in nine outings.

While RCB, stacked to the roof with big hitters and match winners, have consistently managed to pose imposing totals with Kohli, who has been at his swashbuckling best, and AB de Villiers coming up with big knocks consistently and local boy KL Rahul making the opening slot his own with some impressive innings. Chris Gayle, meanwhile, remains a hit-and-miss situation.

Shane Watson has done reasonably well in the all rounder role, being the stand out bowler for the team, while opportunities with the bat have come few and far for Stuart Binny which only goes to show the lamentable performance from their bowling department for their predicament.

But with the addition of medium pacer Chris Jordan to their line-up, it may well be the shot in the arm for the home side who have badly missed the services of Mitchell Starc. The Englishman’s ability to bowl stingy overs at the death will be key a factor for the side going forward.

Yuzvendra Chahal, along with Watson, have been key with the ball and he will need all the support he can get taking on a Pune side who are potentially quite destructive.

While the visitors will miss the services of Kevin Pietersen, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Faf du Plessis due to injuries, the arrival of Usman Khwaja and George Bailey will add steel to the top and middle order respectively. Ajinkya Rahane has been in fine form and with Dhoni down the order, the Pune side are quite stacked with attacking talent.

Meanwhile, Murugan Ashwin and Thisara Perera will be key with the ball.

Following consistent evening showers over the past few days, both sides will also be hoping for clearer skies come Saturday as a washout hardly does any favours for either of them at their current climate.