Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL 2015, Bangalore May 1, 2015

In-form RCB still in search of first home win

Match facts

Saturday, May 2, 2015
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)

Play 01:54
O'Brien: Toss in Bangalore crucial

Big picture

A power-hitting top order in one corner, and an aggressive fast-bowling pack at the other. It is no Floyd Mayweather Jr v Manny Pacquiao boxing fight, billed as the 'Fight of the Century', but Royal Challengers Bangalore versus Kolkata Knight Riders has the making of an action-packed afternoon on Saturday if it lives up to expectations.

Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, the backbone of their team's batting, have all been among the runs and have each played a match-winning innings in Royal Challengers' resurgence that has seen them string together dominant performances in their last three matches, after three successive home defeats. Another important contributing factor has been the cutting edge to the attack provided by World Cup hero Mitchell Starc, who has effortlessly slipped into the role of the leader of the group.

These factors make Royal Challengers a slight favourite against defending champions Knight Riders, who endured a painful defeat at home the last time these two teams met. Royal Challengers were staring at defeat at one stage in that match, after their top and middle order had failed, but ultimately finished winners due to Gayle's patience and calculated assault in the second half of the chase.

India fast bowler Umesh Yadav, who did not play that match, will be the key on Saturday along with South African quick Morne Morkel who sat out Knight Riders' last two matches. The Bangalore pitch has been one of the most responsive wickets for fast bowlers but the Knight Riders would do well to combine aggression with good bowling strategy to stop the reinvigorated Royal Challengers.

Form guide

Royal Challengers Bangalore WWLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Kolkata Knight Riders WLLWW

Watch out for

Gautam Gambhir has hit three fifties this season and remains the lynchpin for Knight Riders. But in the last three matches, he has not had an impact with the bat. But if Gambhir can last beyond the Powerplay, he becomes a dangerous player, especially against the slow bowlers with his ability to pierce gaps and use his feet.

Mandeep Singh, the Punjab batsman, has played just one innings of significance this season - the 27 against Rajasthan Royals. But it was a very important innings considering Mandeep's 74-run partnership for the third wicket with de Villiers set up the platform through which the lower order encashed. But Mandeep has been a disappointment otherwise, scoring just six runs in the two other innings he has played. On Friday afternoon, he had an additional solo session after the team left, getting throwdowns from bowling coach Allan Donald. It will be a test of his character next time he walks in to bat.

Stats and trivia

  • Gambhir has made five 50-plus scores against Royal Challengers in the IPL, more than any other player.
  • Chinnaswamy stadium is the only venue where fast bowlers have taken two four-wicket hauls this IPL. The seamers have taken taken 29 wickets here, second-most for any venue, just one behind the Wankhede Stadium and Chepauk.

Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Comments