Toss could be the key

Both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers had their hopes of a final rematch crushed following their losses in the semi-finals. While Bangalore went down by 35 runs to Mumbai, Deccan made a mess of an attainable target in their game against Chennai. The common point in both those matches was that the team which won the match had won the toss as well, and had chosen to bat. With the pitch at the DY Patil Stadium getting more difficult for batting as the match wears on, the toss could play a crucial role in the clash for third place, a match which is vital as the winner qualifies to play in the Champions League later this year.

The table below looks at the performance of teams in the first and second innings at this venue. In all four games played at this venue, the team batting first has won quite convincingly. While chasing, the scoring rate falls considerably and the number of wickets lost also is much higher. Deccan have lost all three matches here, and on each occasion they have batted second.

Deccan Chargers, though, will be encouraged by their recent record against Bangalore. They've won their last three encounters, triumphing in both games this year, and in last year's final.

In overall performances this year, though, Bangalore hold an edge over Deccan in terms of their batting and bowling performances, which is reflected in the difference between the batting run rate and bowling economy rate.

The scoring rate in the Powerplay overs for both teams has been quite similar but Bangalore have lost far fewer wickets in the first six overs. The reason for this has been the strong showing of the openers Manish Pandey and Jacques Kallis in the initial games. Deccan, though, have never quite had a good start which can be attributed to the poor form of their captain Adam Gilchrist.

The table below shows the bowling performances of both teams during the Powerplay overs. Deccan have picked up more wickets in this phase due to some penetrative bowling by Chaminda Vaas and Ryan Harris. Apart from Dale Steyn, the Bangalore bowling has not been threatening in the first few overs.

Bangalore are clearly ahead with their showing in the last six overs. Deccan's average is very poor and they have, on more than one occasion, lost wickets in a heap. Their scoring rate in the crucial last overs has also not been on par with the other top teams.

On the bowling front, though, Deccan's fast bowlers and spinners have performed much better than their Bangalore counterparts. Vaas and Harris have picked up crucial wickets in the beginning of the innings and Pragyan Ojha has bowled quite exceptionally all tournament. For Bangalore, though, Steyn and Anil Kumble have been the only two bowlers who have performed consistently throughout.