While the spot-fixing controversy surrounds the Indian Premier League, there will be an important match being played on Thursday nevertheless as Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Delhi Daredevils later in the evening.
In terms of playoffs qualifications, Delhi Daredevils have the comfort of having secured a spot, being the only team to have done so. Their opponents, Royal Challengers Bangalore, have their work cut out though. A defeat for them will almost certainly finish their chances given their poor run rate. A win will keep them just in contention and not guarantee a spot yet.
Delhi Daredevils sealed their spot through a win in the last match – a five-wicket win against Kings XI Punjab. Set 137 to win, the Daredevils chased down the target with six balls remaining.
Mahela Jaywardene anchored the innings with a half-century while Naman Ojha also scored valuable runs. VIrender Sehwag, the captain, will be hoping that their batting does not collapse again after David Warner, Sehwag and Ross Taylor fell quickly.
Taylor’s woeful run would be a cause of concern as the team struggles to find a suitable replacement for Kevin Pieteresen. The bowling department looks settled with Morne Morkel being their trump card while Irfan Pathan also bringing into use his experience.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have 15 points so far and were denied a win against Mumbai Indians through some belligerent batting by Keiron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu. Bangalore’s bowlers have struggled for consistency and it was witnessed yet again with their fifth bowler combination of KP Appanna and Chris Gayle leaking away 58 runs.
Zaheer Khan and Vinay Kumar have to take further responsibility to strike at regular intervals. With the bat, though the usual stars failed, it was Mayank Agarwal who stole the show with 30-ball 64. In addition, Chris Gayle will be a threat as always.
The match will be played in Delhi starting at 8.00pm. Delhi lost their previous match to Bangalore earlier in the season.