RCB and DD – Battling Consistency
The Royal Challengers Bangalore and DD have had troubles with putting up consistent performances so far in the tournament. Both the teams have managed the sole win in four games. Therefore, both the teams will consider this their ‘make or break’ game in this year’s VIVO IPL campaign.
Gautam Gambhir’s return to Kolkata after taking over DD’s reigns did not go as per plan. Our previous clash against KKR ended in a defeat as we succumbed at the iconic Eden Gardens.
With the exception of Rishabh Pant and Glenn Maxwell, who showed a lot of character, the rest of our batting didn’t quite click. It was a similar story with the bowling attack as well. Trent Boult and Rahul Tewatia stood out with excellent bowling figures on a night the rest of the bowlers went for runs aplenty.
RCB have had a similar fate. Their last outing at the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians ended in defeat. MI piled up 213 runs and barring Virat Kohli, none of the RCB batsmen could get going.
A Lot at Stake
"The next game is important for us if we can take a win. If we do so in Bengaluru the confidence will be better. We still have 10 games left and a lot of hard work to do," said Gambhir after the KKR game. Those words echo the magnitude of importance that this game holds for our campaign.
It’s always difficult playing five consecutive games on the road. Gambhir and his men would love to go home to the Kotla with another win under their belt. A win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium tomorrow could lay the perfect platform for a turnaround as we begin our home games.
The Numbers
Gautam Gambhir has a good record against most oppositions and RCB is no exception. He has scored 644 runs in 19 games at an average of 33.89 against the Bengaluru franchise. His average playing RCB away at the M. Chinnaswamy is as impressive – 33.22. His highest VIVO IPL score of 93 also came against Kohli’s men. However, Gambhir hasn’t been in the best touch this season, and he’ll want to turn things around.
Rishabh Pant and Trent Boult have each played only one game against RCB in the VIVO IPL, and they excelled in those games. Pant smashed a 36-ball 57 and Boult picked up three wickets in an over.
Chris Morris too has an impressive record against the Royal Challengers, having registered two three-fors in seven matches.
However, RCB hold the upper-hand in the head-to-head record having taken wins in 11 of the 19 games. RCB and DD both find themselves at the bottom of the table at the moment. The DD squad will look to take a win from this game and propel themselves ahead.
Regrouping
A clinical performance at the Wankhede was followed by an ordinary one at the Eden Gardens. T20 cricket is a leveler.
Nevertheless, we’ve had a four-day hiatus going into our fifth match. It was a much-needed break for the boys. The squad has regrouped and will be determined going into the all-important RCB encounter. Ponting and Gambhir would have chalked out plans and discussed combinations to negate the flaws apparent against KKR.
VIVO IPL Match 19: RCB vs DD, 8 pm IST
VENUE: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
BROADCAST: Star Sports Network
RCB and DD – Battling Consistency
The Royal Challengers Bangalore and DD have had troubles with putting up consistent performances so far in the tournament. Both the teams have managed the sole win in four games. Therefore, both the teams will consider this their ‘make or break’ game in this year’s VIVO IPL campaign.
Gautam Gambhir’s return to Kolkata after taking over DD’s reigns did not go as per plan. Our previous clash against KKR ended in a defeat as we succumbed at the iconic Eden Gardens.
With the exception of Rishabh Pant and Glenn Maxwell, who showed a lot of character, the rest of our batting didn’t quite click. It was a similar story with the bowling attack as well. Trent Boult and Rahul Tewatia stood out with excellent bowling figures on a night the rest of the bowlers went for runs aplenty.
RCB have had a similar fate. Their last outing at the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians ended in defeat. MI piled up 213 runs and barring Virat Kohli, none of the RCB batsmen could get going.
A Lot at Stake
"The next game is important for us if we can take a win. If we do so in Bengaluru the confidence will be better. We still have 10 games left and a lot of hard work to do," said Gambhir after the KKR game. Those words echo the magnitude of importance that this game holds for our campaign.
It’s always difficult playing five consecutive games on the road. Gambhir and his men would love to go home to the Kotla with another win under their belt. A win at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium tomorrow could lay the perfect platform for a turnaround as we begin our home games.
The Numbers
Gautam Gambhir has a good record against most oppositions and RCB is no exception. He has scored 644 runs in 19 games at an average of 33.89 against the Bengaluru franchise. His average playing RCB away at the M. Chinnaswamy is as impressive – 33.22. His highest VIVO IPL score of 93 also came against Kohli’s men. However, Gambhir hasn’t been in the best touch this season, and he’ll want to turn things around.
Rishabh Pant and Trent Boult have each played only one game against RCB in the VIVO IPL, and they excelled in those games. Pant smashed a 36-ball 57 and Boult picked up three wickets in an over.
Chris Morris too has an impressive record against the Royal Challengers, having registered two three-fors in seven matches.
However, RCB hold the upper-hand in the head-to-head record having taken wins in 11 of the 19 games. RCB and DD both find themselves at the bottom of the table at the moment. The DD squad will look to take a win from this game and propel themselves ahead.
Regrouping
A clinical performance at the Wankhede was followed by an ordinary one at the Eden Gardens. T20 cricket is a leveler.
Nevertheless, we’ve had a four-day hiatus going into our fifth match. It was a much-needed break for the boys. The squad has regrouped and will be determined going into the all-important RCB encounter. Ponting and Gambhir would have chalked out plans and discussed combinations to negate the flaws apparent against KKR.
VIVO IPL Match 19: RCB vs DD, 8 pm IST
VENUE: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
BROADCAST: Star Sports Network
