Press Trust of India
Bangalore, May 23: Powered by an in-form Virat Kohli’s inspirational leadership, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would look to inch closer to a maiden IPL title triumph when they take on table-toppers Gujarat Lions (GL) in the Qualifier I, here Tuesday.
RCB were in a real spot of bother as they needed to win their last four games to make it to the play-offs. The Bangalore outfit showed great fighting spirit to record four consecutive wins to finish the league engagements at the second spot with 16 points, just behind leaders Gujarat Lions, who garnered 18.
The biggest hero for RCB this season has been skipper Kohli, who is perhaps enjoying the best phase of his batting career. Kohli has so far amassed a record 919 runs in the ongoing IPL with four centuries and six fifties at a staggering average of 91.90.
In the company of Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle also dished out some sizzling batting performances. While de Villiers has 603 runs under his belt with one century and five half-centuries.
RCB’s turnaround in bowling was made possible by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who is the leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps from 11 games. The late entry of Chris Jordon also helped RCB in containing their rivals in the death overs. Australian Shane Watson too has served the team well picking up 16.
Debutantes Gujarat Lions, on the other hand, were the first team to qualify for the play-offs by destroying the hopes of title-holders Mumbai Indians. Gujarat defeated RCB by six wickets in their opening meeting this season before suffering a humiliating 144-run loss in the next tie here.
The Suresh Raina-led side will be eyeing sweet revenge for the embarrassing defeat to head straight into the final of their maiden IPL appearance. In Raina, Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Gujarat too have a formidable batting line-up.
In the bowling department, Gujarat have depended on the pace duo of Dwayne Bravo and Dhawal Kulkarni. While Bravo has 15 wickets against his name, Kulkarni has managed 14 scalps so far.
Even though the losing side Tuesday will have another chance to make it to the final by locking horns against the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders, both RCB and Gujarat will be hoping for a direct berth in Sunday’s final.