IPL 2017, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Lions: 5 winning factors
Royal Challengers Bangalore continue their strenuous season with a home game against the bottom of the table, Gujarat Lions, at their home ground, M. Chinnaswamy stadium. The Bengaluru-based franchise haven’t had a good season thus far and it got worse when they were bowled out for the lowest ever IPL score by Kolkata Knight Riders on a zippy pitch.
A washout against Sunrisers Hyderabad couple of days ago did not help their cause to fight for a playoff spot. While they are set to play Gujarat at the same venue, they will hope to take to the pitch. It was against the Lions that Challengers displayed their batting prowess last season with de Villiers and Kohli both slamming hundreds in a total of 248. While that is a thing of the past, the Lions bowling has been least impressive this season and the RCB duo will be hungry for runs at a venue where they generally score quite a few.
Here we take a look at five win themes for both sides.
#1 With the bat
RCB will depend on a great start from Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. The West Indian is slowly regaining some lost touch and on a Bangalore strip, should return to his dangerous best. Kohli, on the other hand, was furious with his dismissal in Kolkata and will be itching to make runs.
De Villiers lurks behind the opening duo and poses even bigger challenges for Gujarat. With Jadhav, Mandeep and Binny to follow, RCB pack a punch in the batting department. The poor memories of being bundled out for 49 should be well past them as they take on Gujarat.
Gujarat Lions are lucky to have an in-form Brendon McCullum this season. Aaron Finch hasn't quite clicked but can go wild if he gets going. Against a weaker bowling attack like RCB, Finch should fancy his chances. Raina is in good form too and will be helped by the fact that all three of the Bangalore spinners turn the ball into him. The only way Gujarat can challenge the RCB batsmen is by putting up enough and more runs on the board.