Stiff challenge for Kings

Kings XI Punjab face Royal Challengers Bangalore in a critical encounter here on Friday. While Kings XI have been at the wrong end of the Duckworth-Lewis method twice in the Indian Premier League 2009 so far, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fortunes have slid badly after a fine start against the defending champions Rajasthan Royals. Things have not fallen in place for the Punjab team, who are languishing at the bottom of the table after losing first two encounters.
Although they are yet to open their account, they undoubtedly possess a powerful batting order, led by the stylish Yuvraj Singh.

The Kings XI skipper, who scored a brisk 28-ball 38 in last match against Kolkata Knight Riders, will also count on Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara and country-mate Mahela Jayawardena for some timely contributions. “We have played well in both the games, especially in the batting department,” Yuvraj said.

“We just need to sort out our bowling. It has been just two games and we were in the same position last year, so hopefully we can go and pick things up,” added the skipper of Kings XI Punjab. Irfan Pathan who is chipping in well with his pinch-hitting skills needs to come to the party with Protean paceman Yusuf Abdullah to pressurise the RCB batsmen. Royal Challengers Bangalore started their journey in style by comprehensively beating defending champions Rajasthan Royals by 75 runs, but since then are suffering from lack of consistency.

Skipper Kevin Pietersen will surely draw on his experience to recapture the form they showed in the first match. Besides Pietersen, the onus of building the innings will also be on star South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid, whose 48-ball 66 laid the cornerstone of Bangalore’s win against the Rajasthan Royals.
Pietersen has called on his batsmen to deliver. “We started really well (beating defending champion Rajasthan Royals) but we didn’t play too well in the last two matches. I think if we can sort our batting in the first six overs, things would be quite okay,” said the RCB skipper.

With the team management adamant on continuing with Robin Uthappa behind the stumps instead of South African Mark Boucher, the Karnataka opener also has to play his bit as opening batsman to lay the foundation for a fighting total or to chase a stiff target for his side.

Their bowling department did well in the first match skittling out Shane Warne-led team for a paltry 58, thanks to Anil Kumble’s five-for, but appeared sluggish against the Chennai Super Kings and Deccan Chargers since then.