RCB keen to add momentum to campaign

A Chris Gayle-inspired Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 campaign off to a winning start with a three-wicket victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. The Virat Kohli-led side will be keen on extending the momentum when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their first home encounter of the season at the Chinnaswamy stadium on Monday. For SRH, the match provides them an opportunity to get their campaign back on track following a below-par showing against two-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram stadium.

Although their bowling effort was not up to the mark, RCB managed to get over the line in their opening match against KKR thanks to a brilliant 96 by Gayle and tail-enders Harshal Patel and Abu Nechim holding their nerves in a close finish. Despite their win, the Bangalore franchise have a few issues to address before taking the field against SRH.

David Warner, as full time captain of SRH, will have a lot on his mind following his team's performance against CSK. Their fielding was poor, they missed multiple run-out chances, the bowling was indisciplined and the batsmen, apart from the skipper, hardly made their presence felt. Warner will want his side to right the wrongs when they take on the hosts.

Venue: M Chimmaswamy stadium, BengaluruDate: April 13, 2015Time: 20:00 ISTWeather: Thunder storms forecast before the start time. Temperatures around 23 degree Celsius.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

As far as the eleven for the match is concerned, RCB are unlikely to make any changes based on the performance of only one game. They will, however, want improved performances from most of the players. The bowlers, barring Yuzvendra Chahal and Abu Nechim, went for plenty and will have to up their game against the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Warner and Co. Amongst the batsmen, too, it was only Gayle and AB de Villiers who managed to hold their own. If the rest of the batsmen play with more discipline and do not get carried away by the occasion, it will serve the team better in the matches to come.

Probable XI: Virat Kohli (c), Chris Gayle, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Mandeep Singh, AB de Villiers, Darren Sammy, Sean Abbott, Harshal Patel, Abu Nechim, Yuzvendra Chahal, Varun AaronSunrisers Hyderabad

SRH might opt against playing two spinners at the Chinnaswamy stadium considering the small boundaries. This means Parvez Rasool could make way for Laxmi Ratan Shukla. Ishant Sharma's poor showing might see him being replaced by Praveen Kumar. But, just as in RCB's case, SRH could also give the side that played against CSK another go to prove themselves.

SRH seemed to have made a few blunders with their batting set-up in the last game. Kane Williamson batted way down the order and was left with too much to do. SRH head coach Tom Moody, skipper Warner and the team think-tank need to work on a better batting order and ensure that quality names make it to the middle earlier.

Probable XI: David Warner (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Naman Ojha (wk), Ravi Bopara, Lokesh Rahul, Laxmi Ratan Shukla/Parvez Rasool, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Praveen Kumar/Ishant Sharma, Trent Boult

Numbers:

1: The number of sixes Chris Gayle needs to score to become the first with 200 sixes in the IPL. Suresh Raina occupies the second spot with 134 maximums.

1: Dinesh Karthik needs one more dismissal to equal Adam Gilshrist and MS Dhoni for most dismissals by a keeper in IPL. He currently has 66.

Quotes:

I am not going to let composure or complacency get in my game. I am looking forward to another big game back home. We need to continue this momentum and our winning ways: Chris Gayle sends out a warning signal to SRH.

It just shows the depth we have in our team. We have so many experienced bowlers and someone is going to miss out. It was nice to get a nod. Hopefully, I will get more: Trent Boult, on being preferred over Dale Steyn.