Royal Challengers Bangalore returns to its home base, morale-boosting victories secured and confidence restored, and to top it all, encouragement drawn from having vanquished Rajasthan Royals in Ahmedabad last week.
A team that failed in three consecutive games here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium found its revival path through away wins starting with the one over Royals and the emphatic 10-wicket triumph over Delhi Daredevils.
RCB’s turn-around largely rested on a bowling unit that shed its extravagance and found vigour in Mitchell Starc and Varun Aaron, with Yuzvendra Chahal too playing a part.
Chahal, however, is nursing a finger injury and is a doubtful starter.
RCB’s formula has always been about an imposing batting order doing the hard yards and delivering the big hits while the bowlers chip in.
This season, at least in its last two games, RCB found both its wings working in unison. It is a trait that Virat Kohli’s men need to persevere with as they take on the Royals here on Wednesday night.
It will not be easy as Royals has, time and again, lived up to its ‘sum-is-bigger-than-the-parts’ theme and with both outfits currently jostling amidst the IPL’s top four, a rousing contest is on the cards.
As ever, RCB’s batting-strength is also its weakness as a lot rides on Kohli, Chris Gayle and A.B. de Villiers. The trio has scored the bulk of the runs (605) this year too while the rest, with the exception of David Wiese’s odd biff, haven’t prospered.
A lot is expected of Dinesh Karthik, and if he can deliver, it will ease the pressure off the big three.
If RCB’s tale has been about the stagger giving way to a steady gait, Royals lapped a terrific start (five wins on the trot) before hitting the hurdle of an excruciating Super Over loss to King’s XI, an ambush by RCB and then gazing at wet skies in a washed out contest against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata.
Arriving at Bengaluru, Royals have men like Rahul Dravid (mentor) and all-rounder Stuart Binny, who know the venue intimately.
The visitors’ batting has revolved around Ajinkya Rahane (323 runs), Steven Smith and Shane Watson.
However, James Faulkner is yet to find his stride with the bat and ball.
But Royals hasn’t always leant upon its stars, and with 42-year-old spinner Pravin Tambe being a force to reckon with, it has found unlikely heroes.
Whether all this could add up against a rival itching to notch up its maiden home victory this season, remains a matter of conjecture and eyes will also be on the weather as this April has witnessed record rainfall.
