Security concerns overshadow build-up

Match facts

Saturday, May 17, 2008
Start time 16.00 (local), 10.30 (GMT)

	Graeme Smith will not be congratulating Dale Steyn if he takes a wicket in Saturday's match (file photo) © Getty Images

The Big Picture

Uncertainty loomed over this fixture after a series of bomb blasts ripped through the heart of Jaipur on May 13. Shane Warne, the Rajasthan Royals captain, and other high-profile overseas players were reportedly wary of staying on in the city while Bangalore requested the game be switched to the Chinnaswamy Stadium. However Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, refused to change the venue and assured the "necessary security arrangements" would be put in place for "the safe conduct of the game".

A shift in venue, though, may have increased Bangalore's chances of winning, for Rajasthan have won all of their five matches at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium and start as overwhelming favourites. Their team strategy has been simple: field first, restrict the opposition and approach the run-chase without the pressure of a tall asking-rate. Bangalore will either have to win the toss, or their out-of-form batsmen will have to fire against Shane Warne, Sohail Tanvir and Shane Watson if they are to disrupt those plans.

Rajasthan are sitting pretty at the top of the points table and know that another victory or two will cement a spot in the final four. However, a defeat for Bangalore, who are at the bottom of the league, will eliminate the slimmest of semi-final hopes. They have struggled to find a winning combination and their owner, Vijay Mallya, has fired salvos against the captain, prompting Anil Kumble to stand up for Rahul Dravid.

Tournament position

Rajasthan Royals P9, W7, L2, NRR +0.592
Bangalore Royal Challengers P9, W2, L7, NRR -1.381

Form (last five matches, most recent match first)

Rajasthan Royals: WWLWW
Bangalore Royal Challengers: LLLWL

Watch out for ...

The tactics used by Rajasthan's fast bowlers. The short ball had telling effect the last time they played Bangalore - on a bouncy Chinnaswamy pitch - with four batsmen falling to the pull.

Sohail Tanvir v Misbah-ul-Haq: two unconventional cricketers from Pakistan and both keen to outwit the other.

Dale Steyn v Graeme Smith. The duo didn't meet in the previous game, but expect some fireworks this time around.

Team news

Rajasthan have one of the most balanced sides - with a fine mix of Indian and foreign players. Siddharth Trivedi and Munaf Patel have exceeded expectations with the ball and it's unlikely that they would meddle with the bowling combination. Tanvir is likely to make a comeback in place of Dimitri Mascarenhas, who has returned to Hampshire. Niraj Patel hasn't had much of a role in his two games and Warne may give him another go.

Rajasthan Royals (probable): 1 Graeme Smith, 2 Yusuf Pathan, 3 Mohammad Kaif, 4 Shane Watson, 5 Niraj Patel, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Shane Warne (capt), 8 Mahesh Rawat (wk), 9 Sohail Tanvir, 10 Siddharth Trivedi, 11 Munaf Patel.

Bangalore could go in with a largely unchanged combination. Misbah-ul-Haq, who began with a flurry of fours before knocking the stumps with his back foot, would be expected to bat at No. 3. Vinay Kumar could be replaced by either B Akhil or Sunil Joshi while Jacques Kallis may come in for Cameron White.

Bangalore Royal Challengers (probable): 1 J Arunkumar, 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Misbah-ul-Haq, 4 Rahul Dravid (capt), 5 Jacques Kallis, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Praveen Kumar, 8 B Akhil, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Anil Kumble, 11 Dale Steyn.

Stats and trivia

Rajasthan's average 20-over score at home is 177.

Graeme Smith has played 102 dot balls out of a total of 217 deliveries.

Seven different batsmen - Bharat Chipli, Praveen Kumar, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid, Wasim Jaffer and J Arunkumar - have opened for Bangalore.

Quotes

"It is a difficult time for us. Nothing is going right. The defeats bring out criticism and flaws become too evident. We are not under pressure but we will try and come out of this phase. If we keep on winning everything will be okay. There is pressure on the captain, he too wants to win but nothing is going right. It is the frustration of defeats which has instigated even Vijay Mallya to throw criticism"
Bangalore batsman Misbah-ul-Haq on the eve of the match against Rajasthan.

"Rajasthan Royals, who were considered underdogs, are now front-runners. We are sitting at the top and have a good chance of winning the tournament. The team spirit is great and everything is going on smoothly. Perhaps these were the reasons rather than money which made the players stay on."
The chief executive of the Jaipur franchise, Fraser Castellino sets the record straight.

Read in App

Elevate your reading experience on ESPNcricinfo App.

Download App Now