Buoyant Rajasthan Royals takes on Bangalore Royal Challengers

Bangalore, Apr 25 (UNI) Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals, fresh from two consecutive wins, holds an edge over Bangalore Royal Challengers when two team clash in the Twenty-20 Indian Premier League tie at M Chinnaswamy stadium here tomorrow.

The thrilling last over victory over Deccan Chargers, Hyderabad, yesterday has put the Jaipur team in a confident state of mind, but the local team is not far behind a they too had a convincing win against a strong Mumbai Indians. This win had come after the bad loss in the league opener against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Dravid's men are now bolstered with the arrival of Pakistani hard hitter Misbah-ul-Haq, who joined the team yesterday.

With the eight teams in the league finally coming to the grips of the T20 intensity with the league entering the second week, a thrilling run chase is on the cards.

The wicket at the Bangalore offered good bounce and New Zealand wicket keeper Brendon McCullum's heroics notwithstanding, the bowlers had a satisfying day. Especially after the break the pitch offered good bounce and movement due to the dew effect that hastened Bangalore's innings to an early end.

Much will be expected from the Challengers by the home fans who were disappointed over their team capitulating to a paltry 92, chasing a stiff target of 22 against Kolkata.

First Dravid will have to satisfy the cricket fans and ensure that his team earns the second win to be in hunt for a position among the top.

Besides, the Bangalore team has to pull up its socks not only to win but also to improve its present poor run rate, which is the worst among the eight teams at -3.423.

Rajasthan Royals, though don't have an Icon player in the team, is well guided by skipper and coach Shane Warne, who was instrumental in the Royals pull off an improbable win against Hyderabad. It is the only IPL team to have a foreign captain and playing coach.

Team India Test Captain Anil Kumble, who is in the injured list, is still doubtful of playing tomorrow match. The ace leggie is recovering from groin injury received during Australia tour.

Following are the teams: Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne (Capt), Graeme Smith, Mohammad Kaif, Justin Langer, Younis Khan, Anoop Revandkar, Taruwar Kohli, Niraj Patel, Kamran Akmal (WK), Yusuf Pathan, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Shane Watson, Sohail Tanvir, Ravindra Jadeja, Siddharth Trivedi, Swapnil Asnodkar, Sumit Khatri, Munaf Patel, Morne Morkel and Pankaj Singh.

Bangalore Royal Challengers: Rahul Dravid (Capt), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wasim Jaffer, Misbah-ul-Haq, Ross Taylor, J Arun Kumar K P Appanna, Bharat Chipli, Mark Boucher (WK), Shreevats Goswami, Devraj Patil, Jacques Kallis, Cameron White, Sunil Joshi, Akhil B, Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Nathan Bracken, Dale Steyn, Praveen Kumar, Abdur Razzak, R Vinay Kumar.

UNI MSP RS SKB1753