Charged-up Bulls up for Challengers

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For the second match in a row, the Deccan Chargers find themselves in what can be termed a knockout match with nothing to lose.

This, if nothing else, makes them very dangerous opponents for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, whom they face at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The Chargers would look to replicate their clinical bowling that was on display on Friday while the Royal Challengers would look to do the same with their batting, which was brutal, to say the least, against the Delhi Daredevils at the Kotla on Thursday. In that sense, it would be a contest between the home side’s bowling and the visitors’ batting.

The Chargers effected a defeat on the visiting Rajasthan Royals on Friday evening, courtesy a brilliant bowling performance.

The fast and furious Dale Steyn was magnificent to behold while Amit Mishra, who came into his own after an indifferent season, was virtually unplayable.

If they continue in the same vein, it should make for a very interesting contest, especially between Steyn and the Butcher of Bangalore, Chris Gayle.

Gayle, who has stormed to the top of the batting charts with a stunning century, will see no reason not to replicate his pyrotechnics on Sunday. Virat Kohli, Gayle’s partner-in-crime on Thursday, would also come into this match high on confidence.

Key player: Deccan Chargers Cameron White

Cameron White has been one of the in-form players for the Deccan Chargers this season. While he didn’t perform against the Rajasthan Royals on Friday, he would look to end the season on a personal high and this can only mean one thing, the RCB bowlers had better watch out.

Key player: Royal Challengers Chris Gayle

Orange-cap holder Chris Gayle is the most feared batsmen in thye IPL and his unbeaten 128, a knock that included 13 massive sixes, demonstrated exactly why he is so feared.

If Gayle takes off on Sunday, the game is more or less the Royal Challengers’ to lose, it’s as simple as that.