Match Preview : Bangalore Royal Challengers vs Kings XI Punjab

Preview by Saurabh Somani
Ground Reality and Pitch:
After a gloomy start, Durban has at last seen the rains keep away. With the sun coming out, conditions for batting have improved, although with a night match, bowlers won't be completely out of the equation. The previous matches showed that those who have batting depth and power could post good totals, while those who didn't, struggled.
Team News:
Bangalore Royal Challengers: Their early form seems to have deserted them, with only one thing being constant - Rahul Dravid is rolling back the years, and batting like a dream. Their star signings - Pietersen, Ryder and Taylor - have not done anything of note, and unless they fire, it will be hard for Bangalore to post or chase a decent total. On paper, their bowling attack is a good one, but as Gilchrist showed, reputations on paper count for nothing, once a good batsman gets going.

King's Eleven Punjab: They have looked like the weakest team in the tournament, and with good reason. A depleted bowling attack and a batting lineup that hasn't fired, are the main problems that the Mohali team faces. Yuvraj Singh has not looked the part of a leader, seeming bereft of ideas. Although he has a seriously weakened team, the format of Twenty20 is such that 4-5 good overs can change the game, and the King's Eleven have the players with the ability to do that. Now if only the ability translates into performance!
Players to Watch:
Rahul Dravid - Has been in prime form, since the New Zealand tour. Nobody expected him to be the mainstay of the batting for Bangalore, but that's exactly what he's been. Looks determined to prove his critics wrong, and is doing a darn good job of it.
Yuvraj Singh - Has to realize that looking good while batting is not enough, and translate his form into big runs for his side. With the team in trouble, the leader has to show the way. This is as good a chance as any for Yuvraj to show the world that he has the mental toughness that everyone believes he lacks.
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