Bengaluru: While Kings XI Punjab’s chances of making it to the playoffs are all but over now, Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore will make the most of this situation to emerge victorious in what remains a vital match for RCB as both these teams clash in the Indian Premier League, here at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Wednesday.
The story for KXIP has been a sorry one this season as barring Sandeep Sharma, none of their players have performed as compared to last year. RCB on the other hand have still yet to use the home ground to their full advantage. Bengaluru awaits fireworks and there are key players from both sides who can make a difference at any point of time during the encounter.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
AB de Villiers
South African star all-rounder AB de Villiers has been one of RCB’s key components in the side. Come Wednesday and AB, who scored just 21 runs in the last game against CSK, will look to get a big one which is due from his willow. And when AB’s on a roll, it’s difficult to put a stop to the run scoring. (Photo: BCCI)
Mitchell Starc
Ever since Australian speedster and World Cup hero Mitchell Starc’s entry into the team, RCB have looked a much balanced side and a dangerous one. His ability to provide the early breakthrough and at the end bowling those lethal yorkers to the tail-enders makes him a marquee player for the Daniel Vettori coached side. (Photo: BCCI)
Chris Gayle
His presence itself provides a big boost for any team and on the other hand poses a huge psychological problem for bowlers, but given his recent scores, West Indies big-hitter Chris Gayle hasn’t managed to fire this season. Barring the 96 and 62* against KKR and DD respectively, Gayle has top scored only 21 and RCB will look at the left-hander to fire in the start itself if they want to consolidate the number four position in the points table. (Photo: BCCI)
Kings XI Punjab
Mitchell Johnson
This IPL season has been a horrific one for Australian left-arm pace machine Mitchell Johnson. Even young Parthiv Patel managed to hit Johnson to the boundary with ease and that sums up the latter’s story – with a bad economy rate and add to that not many wickets, this match will be key for Johnson to crash wickets. (Photo:)
Sandeep Sharma
He has been Kings XI Punjab’s most consistent bowler this year and with a credible economy rate, Sandeep Sharma looks to be leading the bowlers’ charts for the Preity Zinta, Ness Wadia owned team. As KXIP play for pride, 21-year-old Sandeep will look to up his performance and add wickets to his name during this encounter. (Photo: BCCI)
Glenn Maxwell
Another player who continues to be in poor form is Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. He did show a glimpse of the damage he can do during the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup Down Under, but heading to the sub-continent has not worked in Maxi’s favour with his highest score of just 33 against KKR. (Photo: BCCI)
