Preview - Pune Warriors India Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India come face to face for the second time this season, this time on Pune’s home ground. Their last meeting did not bode well for PWI who were unable to defend a score of 182 runs. Their performance since has not shown much improvement and they have faced six consecutive losses. A win at this stage will not take them to the play offs but may improve their chances of holding on to their remaining fan base. RCB, on the other hand, have a chance at the play offs if they manage to get a few more wins in their kitty. While RCB will play to gain a higher position on the Points Table, PWI will be playing to prove that they are a team capable of bringing in victories.

Head to head

PWI and RCB have played two matches so far. The first was in IPL 2011, where RCB won by 26 runs, and the second was in the current season of the IPL where RCB were the winners once again by 6 wickets.

Players to watch out for

Pune Warriors India

Steve Smith has been a stand out performer for the Pune Warriors India side.

Steve Smith is a player whose intent and dedication shines through clearly, irrespective of the situation his team is in. While his batting has not been up to expectation recently, he has been an asset to his team on the fielding side. His following continues to grow and his obvious talent makes him a player that can prove quite difficult for RCB.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been quite consistent in taking wickets for the PWI. In a team where the popular bowlers have slipped down from their peak, Kumar comes as a fresh change that, on occasion, has been a formidable force. Picking off the large hitting batsmen is imperative for PWI and Kumar could be just the person for the job.

Michael Clarke came late to play for PWI, but was followed by a lot of expectation that he was somehow, unable to live up to. The ability to push the ball through gaps and across the boundary, couple with the talent to pick off wickets with a disarming spin, PWI’s X Factor holds the potential to take his team to a victory. And RCB may have to face some problems if he unleashes that potential.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Chris Gayle is the batsman that every bowler has targeted during this season of the IPL. While some have succeeded in good time, others, more often, have not and Gayle has gone on to rope in the runs that take RCB to victory. The man donning the Orange Cap and holding the current record of the most sixes is not someone PWI should take lightly. And given their last encounter with him, the home team will have to focus a good amount of energy on taking his wicket, and fast.

Vinay Kumar insinuates mixed reactions from experts. While some are not too happy with the relatively slow speed of his pace bowling, others see a similarity in his style to that of Venkatesh Prasad. But not many can deny that he has mastered the art of picking wickets. He has been an asset to his team and a challenge for PWI in their previous match, making him a player they will have to watch out for.

Tillakaratne Dilshan has a reputation as a destructive opener, which he has proved more often than not during the IPL 2012. His bowling might not have been up to the mark, with him being unable to pick up wickets as required, but his capability remains unquestioned. RCB’s X Factor, Dilshan has displayed his prowess in batting and if in form, he can complement his run taking with wicket taking that might become too much for PWI to handle.

Prediction

Given PWI’s recent dismal performance laced with the lack of aggression and RCB’s drive to win to secure their position in the play offs, the result of this match seems to be in the favour of Royal Challengers Bangalore.