RCB captain Virat keen to end CSK’S winning run
BANGALORE : The last time Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Chennai Super Kings, MS Dhoni was still the India captain across formats. It’s been four years since that match in May 2014 and when the two sides lock horns, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, here on Wednesday, the rivalry will be renewed.
There’s a reason why the former champions, despite their two-year absence from the razzmatazz league, still comes across as a formidable side and aims to clinch the silverware for the third time. With Ambati Rayudu, Shane Watson and Suresh Raina all making a mark, CSK have hardly put a foot wrong.
The firepower present in batting Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo and Sam Billings - has also contributed when the top order has failed. As a result, the least that the side has scored so far in the tournament
Total matches is 169 — a challenging total in any T20 game — while there are two 200 plus totals to show as well.
CSK, however, need to sort out their bowling concerns. They have held their nerves well in pressure situations so far, but despite putting big scores on board it must be a concern for Dhoni that the bowlers have somehow managed to defend the totals. Deepak Chahar and Shane Watson, both with six wickets each, have been impressive but the bowlers need to perform as a unit. On the other hand, what seems to be Royal Challengers Bangalore’s biggest problem is their over dependence on a handful of players.
If it’s Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in batting, the role reversal happens in the form of Umesh Yadav and Chris Woakes (eight wickets each) in the bowling department.
While Kohli (57.75), De Villiers (53) and Mandeep Singh (46.33) have led the batting charge, Quinton de Kock (22.40) and Brendon Mccullum (15.66) have failed to contribute. Quite like Chennai, Bangalore, too, have a similar problem of bowlers not putting up a disciplined performance.
CHANCE OF RAIN
It’s going to be warm on Wednesday (almost nine degrees higher than Tuesday). There were a few spells of showers in the city on Tuesday and the same is expected on the match day as well. The venue has a state-of-the-art drainage system that makes resumption quicker.
CSK face RCB for the first time in almost three years. They recorded a three-wicket win over RCB at Ranchi in 2015.
After losing to RCB by five wickets at Ranchi in 2014, CSK recorded four successive victories gainst RCB.
Virat Kohli will become the eighth player to lead in 100 or more matches in T20 cricket.