Praveen Kumar's hat-trick against Rajasthan Royals underlined the role of bowlers in Twenty20. Jacques Kallis, Anil Kumble and Dale Steyn took the argument further about the possibility of bowlers winning matches with forceful performances to reduce big-hitting batsmen into non-entities.
Royal Challengers Bangalore's strike bowlers will get another opportunity to test their mettle against Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne stadium on Saturday.
Growing in confidence
Led by Sachin Tendulkar, who is growing in confidence with each knock, MI's batting line-up is a mix of experienced masters and exuberant youngsters.
Veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya's stints at the crease have been too short for his full range of stroke-play to be unleashed. Tendulkar is eager to express his mastery via runs in a novel format.
Youngsters Saurabh Tiwary and Ambati Rayudu are ready to take on anyone. Aditya Tare and Rajagopal Satish, too, can rattle up quick runs.
MI's latest additions, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, are explosive batsmen. Together, these eight batsmen standing up to the fiery Steyn and the guiles of Praveen, Kallis and Kumble will make for an engrossing spectacle. The wicket at Brabroune stadium is hard and true, and will assist stroke-makers on both sides.
Kallis on fire
RCB's Kallis is in the same frame of mind as Tendulkar, determined to prove adaptability in the 20-over format even while sticking to the basics.
He can win matches off his own even when faced with 200-plus targets as he proved in the game against Kings XI Punjab.
Manish Pandey is a clean timer of the ball, while Virat Kohli and Robin Uthappa are in roaring form. Rahul Dravid is yet to spend quality time at the crease and MI strike bowlers Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga, Bravo and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will get no respite if the visiting batsmen get cracking.
