Gujarat Lions (GL) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), two potentially powerful but presently lower-placed teams, meet in Rajkot today in what promises to be a close contest
Virat Kohli
Gujarat Lions (GL) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), two potentially powerful but presently lower-placed teams, meet in Rajkot today in what promises to be a close contest. Regardless of where both sides are placed in the points table, this much-awaited match has generated excitement among new generation cricket lovers reared on a diet of internet, smartphone and Indian Premier League (IPL) simply because of presence of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle in RCB.
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They are hoping that the triumvirate will create mayhem in Rajkot, especially when chinks in the Lions’ weak bowling attack are increasingly exposed. Earlier IPL matches have shown that the Rajkot wicket is slower and RCB have reason to smile as they have a battalion of spinners — Yuzvendra Chahal, Samuel Badree, Pawan Negi, Iqbal Abdulla to choose from. This, of course, apart from a battery of fast bowlers spearheaded by Adam Milne, Sreenath Aravind, Stuart Binny and others.
Balance in batting and bowling makes the Challengers stronger and gives them an edge over the Lions who, apart from bowling, are struggling in batting, and have not shone collectively in spite of some big guns in their ranks.
Brendon MuCullum, Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik have struck good form, but others still appear off colour.
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