Upbeat teams look to continue revival

Tuesday, May 9, 2016
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)

With a top four that would be the envy of any Twenty20 team in the world, how Royal Challengers Bangalore find themselves second from bottom of the points table is a question that the team management would be asking itself.

Batting has been Royal Challengers' stronger suit, and unlike the previous seasons, they haven't relied on a few individuals. Virat Kohli has already struck two centuries this season and AB de Villiers has three half-centuries. Shane Watson has played some vital knocks, like the 13-ball 36 against Rising Pune Supergiants on Saturday. Sarfaraz Khan and Sachin Baby have caught the eye with scoops and reverse-scoops, while KL Rahul has been successful at the top with orthodox shots.

Royal Challengers' weak link has been the bowling. Thrice they have allowed teams to chase down totals in excess of 180. On an average, Royal Challengers have conceded 9.45 runs an over - the worst among all teams - and Watson, at 8.26, is the team's most economical bowler.

By contrast, Kings XI Punjab have thrived with the ball. Sandeep Sharma and Mohit Sharma have nailed inch-perfect yorkers in the end overs, playing key roles in each of Punjab's three wins this season. That Mohit has added the offcutter to his back-of-the-hand legcutter augurs well for the hosts. Axar Patel's quick fizzers and Marcus Stoinis' slower balls add more variety to the attack. M Vijay, the captain, has multiplied the efficiency of the attack with smart field placements. He is also Kings XI's highest run-getter this season with 229 runs in nine matches at an average and strike rate of 25.44 and 118.04, including two fifties.

The form of David Miller and Glenn Maxwell, however, continues to be a cause for concern. The two have a combined tally of 310 runs in nine matches.

Kings XI Punjab WLWLL (last five matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WLLLW

Stoinis has proved a valuable addition to Kings XI. He has crunched 112 runs in four innings, striking at 130.23, to add to four wickets. Besides, he has shown the ability to hold his own in the slog overs with yorkers and cutters.

Chris Jordan had an ordinary IPL debut, for Royal Challengers, giving away 43 runs for the wicket of Thisara Perera. Having come in as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Starc, he has big shoes to fill. Can Jordan match the Sharmas on Monday?

Kings XI may stick to the same team that toppled Delhi Daredevils.

Kings XI Punjab (probable): 1 M Vijay (capt), 2 Marcus Stoinis, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 David Miller, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Gurkeerat Singh, 9 Mohit Sharma, 10 Sandeep Sharma, 11 KC Cariappa

Royal Challengers have already paid the price for using an occasional wicketkeeper in Rahul. He has fluffed stumping chances and allowed the ball to sneak through. It was one such missed stumping, of Andre Russell, which might have cost Royal Challengers their match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Will they pass the keeping gloves to Kedar Jadhav? Rahul, though, has come good with the bat, which means that Sachin Baby may have to be left out to accommodate Jadhav. Royal Challengers also made the bold move of dropping Chris Gayle against Supergiants. Will they be tempted to give him another go? If Gayle makes the cut, Travis Head is likely to miss out.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (probable): 1 Virat Kohli (capt), 2 Chris Gayle/Travis Head, 3 KL Rahul, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 Shane Watson, 6 Sachin Baby/Kedar Jadhav (wk), 7 Stuart Binny, 8 Parvez Rasool, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 Varun Aaron, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal

The Mohali surface has helped the spinners this season. Teams have enjoyed chasing at the venue, although the last two matches have suggested otherwise. Cloud cover is expected, but there is no rain forecast.

"Sarfaraz Khan isn't going to get more than 10-15 balls to play. You can't afford to have too many in the field who aren't up to the mark with their speed. You need guys who are fit, and can get to the ball quickly to save you 5-6 runs in the field. Sachin Baby is committed and works on those things. I'd be committed to anyone who gives me 120 per cent in the field."