Vettori, Zaheer boost Bangalore

League leaders Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings lock horns today in a clash that could influence which team receives two shots at making the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. While the winner is assured of finishing first regardless of results elsewhere, the loser could end up either third or fourth which would reduce their chances of making the May 28th final at Chepauk by 50 per cent. That doubles the importance of today's Derby clash that is expected to draw a packed house.


Dan Vettori and Zaheer Khan

For Bangalore, regular skipper Daniel Vettori's return has come at the right time. "Dan is a lot fresher now. He was away from home for 14 weeks. To send him home just to get the energy back and for him to see his local surgeon has ensured he's fresher than at the start of the IPL. He's definitely fit enough for selection," coach Ray Jennings told reporters here on Saturday.u00a0

Zak returns
Zaheer Khan's return from a two-match break is another boost for the hosts. "We had given him a well deserved break because of the World Cup fatigue. He looks a lot fitter than at the start of the IPL as well. Both are in a better spaceu00a0-- physically, mentally and technically - than the beginning of the IPL," he added.u00a0

Bangalore could be playing a maximum of four games in the next seven days. Jennings acknowledged the scheduling needs serious addressing, but looked at it on a positive note: "In the next seven days we could be playing at three exciting groundsu00a0-- Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai.u00a0 "We want to play in front of Mumbai against Mumbai, ditto for Chennai. We are an excited bunch and are looking forward to the challenge," said Jennings.