High-scoring game on cards

On Friday, Bangalore cricket buffs can buckle up for a high-scoring game considering the two teams locking horns at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium have formidable top order line-ups.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore may be riding high on Chris Gayle’s rollicking form but they have others who can deliver for them too. Tillakaratne Dilshan, Virat Kohli and Saurabh Tiwary make for a lethal combination for the top order to put up or chase a winning total.

Kings XI Punjab, on the other hand, have IPL 4 surprise package Paul Valthaty, who has proved to be a match winner on more than one occasion. Skipper Adam Gilchrist, though hasn’t been at his best, can win matches single-handedly. Shaun Marsh and David Hussey have the capabilities to turning the game around.

Daniel Vettori was understandably cautious on Friday. “Both the teams are going to be desperate for wins and they (Kings XI Punjab) have a strong top order with Gilchrist, Marsh, Valthaty and Hussey. We know it’s not going to be easy against them,” said the New Zealander.

Punjab, placed second from the bottom, have played only seven games thus far, having won three and lost four, as opposed to RCB’s fifth place. The Bangalore side have played eight games winning four and losing three with one match being rained-off.
At this stage, neither side is confident of making it to the playoffs.

"We have six games to go and from what we have seen in the tournament so far, no one’s really guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. We just have to win every game from here on,” stated the RCB skipper.