MOHALI, May 8: Desperate to get their campaigns back on track, two bottom placed teams in Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore lock horns here tomorrow, aiming to keep their winning momentum going to stay afloat in the ninth edition of the Indian Premier League.
Both Kings XI and RCB have struggled in the ongoing IPL and their hard-fought victories yesterday came at a time when they badly needed wins to remain in the hunt.
While RCB managed to snap their three losing streak with a seven-wicket win over Rising Pune Supergiants, Kings XI defeated Delhi Daredevils by nine runs to register only their third win in the tournament out of nine games.
Kings XI is languishing at the bottom of the table with six points from nine games, while RCB are just ahead with same points from eight matches.
And from here on, both the teams cannot afford to slip a bit and would look for consistency to keep their campaigns alive.
For Kings XI it won’t be easy as RCB’s batting line up includes some of the destructive names of world cricket in skipper Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Shane Watson.
Come tomorrow, all eyes will be on RCB skipper Virat Kohli whose performance in the ongoing IPL has left oppositions dumbstruck.
Kohli has emerged as man of the moment for RCB, whose third victory against Pune yesterday, came largely due to the skipper’s 58-ball unbeaten 108.
Chasing a formidable 192 for victory, a determined Kohli batted right till the end to amass his second century of the tournament and guide RCB to the much-needed win.
Kohli is leading the top scorers list with 541 runs, which includes two tons and four half-centuries.
And come tomorrow, it will an acid test for Kings XI bowling unit to contain Kohli and his Co.
Come tomorrow it will be a battle between Kings XI bowlers and RCB batsmen and whichever side manages to keep their composure will come out victorious.
RCB, with perhaps the most intimidating batting line-ups, has had to taste defeats because of a pedestrian bowling attack that has failed to defend 180 plus scores in most of the matches. (PTI)
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