On a roll after four successive victories, Royal Challengers Bangalore would look to continue their winning momentum against a struggling Delhi Daredevils when the two sides cross swords in an Indian Premier League match on Thursday.
Bangalore started their campaign on an losing note, going down to Kolkata Knight Riders in their first match, but after that things started falling in place for the Anil Kumble-led side which won four matches back-to-back and are now placed on top of the points tally.
On the other hand, the Delhi side impressed all and sundry in their first two matches – against Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals, but since then victory has eluded them on three occasions on the trot.
Bangalore have now eight points in their kitty, while the Daredevils are languishing in the sixth place on the table with just four points.
Both the batting and bowling departments have been consistent for the Bangalore side, who comprehensively beat Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
Star South African import Jacques Kallis, who is leading the most run getters’ chart, and Manish Pandey have produced a couple of good opening partnerships for the team.
Robin Uthappa, who cracked a 38-ball 68 on Tuesday, and experienced Mark Boucher are the other names who can change any game single handedly, not to speak of dependable Rahul Dravid though the former India captain have not got much chance with the bat so far.
Bangalore bowling department boasts of speedster Dale Steyn who can bowl express deliveries to unsettle rival batsmen and also R Vinay Kumar who has been in superb form in the tournament so far. Skipper Kumble and Kallis can also give the side some timely breakthroughs.
For Daredevils, Virender Sehwag is the second highest run getter in IPL 3 but his form has not helped the Delhi side avert three defeats on the trot – to Mumbai Indians, CSK and Deccan Chargers.
Sehwag, his opening partner David Warner and captain Dinesh Karthik have performed well but the lower-middle order have been unable to live up to the expectation.
Left-hand paceman Dirk Nannes is certainly missing Ashish Nehra’s company and spinner Amit Mishra shared the new ball with him in their last match against Deccan Chargers.
Australian all-rounder Moises Henriques and the Indians like Yogesh Nagar and Sarabjit Ladda have to come good if the Daredevils are to recapture their lost rhythm.
