Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Rajasthan Royals in the second match of the day. Both the teams have lost their previous matches and will be looking to end the Super Sunday on a winning note. Rajasthan Royals started the competition brilliantly by winning both their opening encounters and leading the points table. But, it all fell apart for them as they have now lost two of their previous matches and will be desperate to win in today’s match.

RCB, one of the pre-tournament favorites, are not actually living up to that bill. They lost the match from a winning position against CSK and looked dejected after their loss, and will have to pull their socks to show why they were the finalist in the last year. The Bangalore crowd will be hooting for their team and will want their star players to come good.

Here are some of the players who go ahead and make the difference in today’s encounter.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Chris Gayle: Gayle showed what he is capable of in the last innings that he played against the Chennai Super Kings. He started slowly but soon changed his gears. He thrashed the Chennai bowlers all over the ground and announced himself in this years’ IPL. The Bangalore crowd will once again want their King to pull out a magical performance.

Mayank Agarwal: This young talent outshone Chris Gayle till the time he was at the crease in the match against CSK. He played some beautiful shots and timed the ball superbly. He looked at ease in the opening position and will once again be looking to provide his team some early momentum.

Daniel Vettori: Captain of the RCB team has not been having a good time. He has to put his hand up and perform because his team needs him to be at his best to compete with other teams. He hasn’t been among wickets and would love to change that equation.

Zaheer Khan: Just like his captain, Zaheer Khan is also struggling. It’s not that he is going for too many runs, but going by what he has achieved in the past, he is not doing justice to his talent. He certainly will have to lift up his performance for the team’s cause and everyone knows it is a just a matter of match and he can change the tides.

Rajasthan Royals:

Rahul Dravid: Bangalore’s favorite son will play against them in tonight’s match. He is one of the most respected cricketers in the world, but this will be the first time he will be leading a side against a team that has always been his and at a ground where he started playing cricket. Dravid has been getting starts but has failed to convert it into a big score. He is leading the Royals, but the Bangalore crowd will love to see this man play a good innings.

Brad Hodge: Age may not be on his side, but with the talent he has got he is still very effective. He is one man who always looks in good form. In the last match he did not get much opportunity to bat and he will be waiting for his chance to prove his worth. He is a tremendous finisher and plays some lovely strokes.

Brad Hogg: He is one of the senior statesmen in IPL. He is over 40, but the way he enjoys the game and his bowling skills are amazing. His chinaman can give batsmen nightmares, and his googly is still very deceptive. Hogg is a skilled customer and can do wonders on his day. It will be good to see him bowl against Chris Gayle.

Siddharth Trivedi: He is one of the most experienced RR bowlers in IPL. He has been struggling with his form and has not bowled the way his team expects him to. Trivedi is a skitty customer and is very good in changing pace.

By Gaurav Jha

Indian Sports News