Three-quarters of the way through Sunday’s game, Royal Challengers Bangalore looked set for victory and a happy resurgence in the Pepsi-IPL-7.
Yuvraj Singh had seemingly turned the clock back and turned the game single-handedly, but all that cheer was extinguished in the space of some three overs.
It is not the defeat alone, but the nature of it that will haunt RCB. It is perhaps good that there is little time to brood over it; Delhi Daredevils, a side floundering at the bottom of the table, visits the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday and will provide an immediate test.
ADVERTISEMENT
With three wins from nine matches, RCB needs to win the last five to hold any realistic chance of qualification. Its problems were again on show against Rajasthan Royals. Chris Gayle remained ineffective, Virat Kohli — who opened — failed to hit the high notes he is capable of, while Ashoke Dinda and Varun Aaron bled runs dangerously.
Gayle injured his shoulder while diving in the field on Sunday and walked off with the physio; it is not known if he will be fit to play. Delhi, meanwhile, has lost four out of four — all at the Ferozeshah Kotla — since the IPL returned to India, and is virtually out of the race for a top-four spot. Three changes were made to the side in the last game but that failed to reverse the tide.
ADVERTISEMENT
“At this stage, I’ll be happy if we just get a win,” Daredevils coach Gary Kirsten said, smiling wryly. “Our expectations aren’t too high. I’m very happy with our squad; we’re a new team. We’re improving and that’s the most important thing. One or two key players need to put in some big performances and we can turn it around.”
Kirsten and RCB’s bowling coach Allan Donald — once colleagues — warmly embraced on the pitch as the home team arrived for training. Both will hope for a swing in fortunes.