Resurgent teams battle for leverage
The two teams largely responsible for making the second season of the IPL as closely contested as it is at present clash in the first match of Thursday's double-header in Centurion
Match facts
May 7, 2009Start time 12:30 local, (10:30 GMT)
Big Picture
The two teams largely responsible for making the second season of the IPL as closely contested as it is at present clash in the first match of Thursday's double-header in Centurion. A week ago, there were only five serious contenders for semi-final spots because Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals (along with Kolkata Knight Riders) were languishing at the bottom of the league after losing several of their initial matches. However, both teams have engineered a turnaround in form and have won three out of their last four matches to claw their way back into contention for the knockout stages. Bangalore and Rajasthan are level on four wins each after eight games, though the defending champions are a point ahead because of a washout.Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals - WWLWLGraeme Smith had scored 65 runs in six innings before exploding against Punjab with 77 off 44 balls. Rajasthan's batting has also been bolstered by useful, if not match-winning, contributions from Lee Carseldine, Abhishek Raut, Ravindra Jadeja and Naman Ojha and if they continue to chip it, it will ease the responsibility on Yusuf. Yusuf has also given Rajasthan handy and early breakthroughs with the new ball but their bowling has been boosted by Shane Harwood who has taken three wickets in two games with an economy rate of 6.37.
After enduring a horrible run with the bat - 57 runs in six innings - Uthappa struck form with an unbeaten 66 off 42 balls. Kallis also struck his second half-century of the tournament but the find for Bangalore in the victory against Mumbai was Dillion du Preez. He struck twice in his first over and finished with 3 for 32.
Watch out for
The two legspinner-captains: Anil Kumble is Bangalore's best bowler with 10 wickets and an economy-rate of 5.82. Bangalore have also won both games since Kumble took over from Pietersen. Warne is also his team's highest wicket-taker and drives his team with shrewd and inspired captaincy. At SuperSport Park, Kumble's reliability will clash against Shane Warne's charisma.Team news
Rajasthan gave Amit Singh a debut in the game against Punjab and he impressed with 3 for 9 in four overs. They had also included Niraj Patel in the side but he didn't get an opportunity to perform. Given the margin of victory against Punjab, Rajasthan are likely to retain the same side.Stats and trivia
Head-to-head record
George Binoy is a senior sub-editor at Cricinfo