Nicknamed the 'Bullring', Wanderers is situated south of Sandton in Illovo and is home to the Highveld Lions. While Chennai have played just one match on this ground, Bangalore have played two matches and have a 100% record here. The combination of high scores and low scores over the past few matches have shown that the pitch provides equal assistance to both the batsmen and the bowlers.
Temperatures: Min - 46F Max - 69F | Conditions: Clear skies
Team updates:
Bangalore: After restoring their pride in season-II, Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to stretch their dream run when they clash with Chennai Super Kings in their Indian Premier League semifinal match. Having turned around things for themselves under the inspiring leadership of Anil Kumble, Bangalore look capable of shattering Chennai's IPL dreams. But for that to happen Bangalore bowlers have to produce something extraordinary against the formidable batting line-up of Chennai. Ross Taylor has played a significant role in re-shaping the Bangalore campaign and the Kiwi batsman will have to shoulder the burden yet again though Manish Pandey has been a revelation of sorts for them. However, Bangalore top-order has been inconsistent and it has to fire in the semi-final clash.
Chennai: Chennai dominated in the first-half of the league stage before suffering some close defeats towards the latter part of the tournament. Chennai would bank on the batting troika of Matthew Hayden, Suresh Raina and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to fire in the match against Bangalore. Hayden has treated the bowlers with utter disdain in the tournament and with his powerful batting while Dhoni with his midas touch, has also found his rhythm, shrugging off the initial lean patch. To add to that is the diminutive Raina who is a precious asset for the team with his all round abilities. The bowling department is secure in the hands of Muralitharan and co. However, Chennai have to lift themselves in the fielding aspect if they look to pursue their IPL goal.
Key Partnerships:
Kallis and Taylor: The Protea has been a consistent performer for Bangalore having scored 337 runs including 3 fifties. His Kiwi partner had a dull start but made it up with two vital knocks towards the end. Bangalore would count on the duo to secure the batting department and help Bangalore's cause.
Hayden and Raina: The bulky Australian has been the batsman of the tournament, having scored 546 runs in this edition of the IPL. He has the ideal partner in the talented Raina, who has been a revelation for Chennai with both the bat and the ball. Chennai would bank on the duo to fire in the semi-finals.
Numbers game:
6: The number of fifties scored by the Bangalore batsmen in this edition of the IPL.
58: The number of fours scored by Hayden in IPL 2009, putting him on the top of the list of boundary hitters.
1 week ago
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