IPL 5 Preview: Delhi Daredevils Vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Match 67
Delhi Daredevils are set to take on Royal Challengers Bangalore on home turf at the Ferozshah Kotla on Thursday, May 17, 2012.
While Thursday’s hosts have already qualified for the play offs, RCB’s loss against MI has set their campaign back a bit and were Chennai to beat KXIP in the other game of the day, RCB would need to win both their remaining games to stand a chance of qualifying.
RCB are arguably one of the most talented sides of the competition, with strength in batting and bowling, alike. But for some reason they have been found wanting in crunch situations and have managed to snatch defeat from the proverbial jaws of victory on more than one occasion.
In RCB’s favour, DD having already qualified could be a bit relaxed and pliant ahead of the play offs. Sehwag might even choose to rest some of his best players and give others a break, in the remaining two games, against RCB and KXIP. This would not only ensure that his star performers are well rested ahead of the harder duels in the play offs, but also give useful exposure and match practice to the others.
By contrast, RCB would want to play their best team. From here onwards, RCB will have to win every game if they entertain dreams of winning the competition. That will be easier said than done, though, and the team would surely not be looking that far ahead with a cloud hanging over their qualification prospects.
In the match against MI, Kohli‘s handling of his bowling resources came into question when Gayle found himself with the ball in the crucial 20th over. The skipper would arguably have been better served had he bowled out the fifth bowler’s quota in the earlier part of the innings when MI were looking to rebuild, after having lost quick wickets.
DD must be considered favourites, especially with Sehwag due for a big knock. That said, RCB have not yet justice to the wealth of talent at their disposal and Thursday could be the day they decide to rectify that deficiency.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Jinxatious is the Chief Editor of SportingAttitude.com
An avid writer, on an eclectic range of subjects, he brings to bear editorial experience garnered with a national newspaper in South-East Asia. He also has sportscasting experience, as a cricket commentator, and his passion for sport extends beyond Cricket, to Football, Tennis, and Olympic Sports.
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