Swot Analysis
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Strengths: Red-hot Gayle. His raw power and high-percentage connectivity apart, Gayle has put team's cause ahead of his ego. With the ball, skipper Vettori is one of the most consistent and frugal bowlers in IPL 4
Weaknesses: The middle order has failed to return anything meaningful. So, if Gayle fails, RCB are on the back foot. A decent pace-bowling all-rounder is missing so is the variation in attack.
Opportunities: With slower tracks in the offing for playoff matches, Syed Mohammad can form a two-pronged left-arm spin attack along with Vettori.
Threats: A Mithun's indifferent form has been a matter of constant worry, particularly his no-balls.
Chennai Super Kings
Strengths: The middle-order. Despite a couple of low-key performances, CSK have the depth in batting to wriggle out of difficult situations. They have the perfect mix of big hitters and sound run-makers and that's going to stand them in good stead
Weaknesses: Inability to adjust to 'away' conditions -- The Chepauk wicket has been tailor-made for their attack, where CSK have won all seven of their matches. But of the seven away, they have managed only two wins and that may just hurt them against RCB
Opportunities: Doug Bollinger and R. Ashwin are the two bowlers who really make the CSK attack lethal. While it's very difficult to hit Bollinger away both in the initial and slog overs, the canny Ashwin has the ability to take vital wickets
Threats: CSK looked clueless against Chris Gayle in Bangalore. Even Ashwin, who can take the ball away from Gayle, couldn't resist him. CSK will have to chalk out some plan to resist the marauding West Indian
X factor
CSK: R Ashwin
The off-spinner has been one of the most reliable bowlers around in the death overs. Dhoni will turn to him in pressure situations, and expect Ashwin to deliver more often than not. It would be interesting to see if Ashwin can get early the way he got Shane Watson during the World Cup quarterfinal.
M: 14, Wkts: 16, Best Bowling: 2-12, Avg: 21.18, Econ: 6.16
RCB: S Aravind
This left-arm seamer has impressed many people, including the likes of former India pacers Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, who also happens to be RCB's bowling coach. Aravind seems to be revelling under the guidance of Zaheer, and has been an integral part of the RCB attack this season with 16 scalps.
M: 10, Wkts: 16, Best Bowling: 4-14, Avg: 16.87, Econ: 7.29
Key Clashes
R Ashwin vs Chris Gayle
Ashwin loves the challenge of bowling to the big hitters with the field up in the powerplays and has the variations to trouble the best of the lot. Gayle, as has been seen is in murderous form. Expect him to try and play out the crafty offie and attack the medium pacers. Gayle would also be keen to keep an eye on the carom ball and keep his pads out of the way against it. This could well be a match-defining contest.
Zaheer vs Hussey
Well on the way to becoming one of India's greatest fast bowlers, Zaheer Khan can dismiss and work out left-handed batsmen even in his sleep. He has a good record against Hussey and his slower-knuckle ball has troubled the Aussie before. One can expect Hussey to stand outside his crease to negate Zaheer's movement. An arresting clash this.
Vettori vs Dhoni
Two inspirational captains. Two great leaders. While tactically, Dhoni may steal a march over the affable Kiwi, Vettori has come into his own and has won the respect of some of the biggest stars with elephant-sized egos in the team. Expect Vettori to bring himself on against the CSK skipper as he is a scratchy starter against slow bowling. Vettori also has one of the best arm balls in the business and against Dhoni, who has an extravagant backlift, it can be a handy weapon.
Venue blues: What to expect
After 3 World Cup and 7 IPL matches, the Wankhede track is worn out. It has lot of turn and bounce for spinners.
RCB:
Top three batsmen: Gayle, Kohli, de Villiers
Top three bowlers: Zaheer, Vettori, Aravind
CSK:
Top three batsmen: Dhoni, Raina, Badrinath
Top three bowlers: Ashwin, Bollinger, Albie Morkel
Track Record
CSK - M: 14, Won: 9, Loss: 5
RCB - M: 14, Won: 9, Loss: 4
Head to head (IPL 4): CSK: 1, RCB: 1
Head to head (overall): CSK: 4, RCB: 5
toi
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Strengths: Red-hot Gayle. His raw power and high-percentage connectivity apart, Gayle has put team's cause ahead of his ego. With the ball, skipper Vettori is one of the most consistent and frugal bowlers in IPL 4
Weaknesses: The middle order has failed to return anything meaningful. So, if Gayle fails, RCB are on the back foot. A decent pace-bowling all-rounder is missing so is the variation in attack.
Opportunities: With slower tracks in the offing for playoff matches, Syed Mohammad can form a two-pronged left-arm spin attack along with Vettori.
Threats: A Mithun's indifferent form has been a matter of constant worry, particularly his no-balls.
Chennai Super Kings
Strengths: The middle-order. Despite a couple of low-key performances, CSK have the depth in batting to wriggle out of difficult situations. They have the perfect mix of big hitters and sound run-makers and that's going to stand them in good stead
Weaknesses: Inability to adjust to 'away' conditions -- The Chepauk wicket has been tailor-made for their attack, where CSK have won all seven of their matches. But of the seven away, they have managed only two wins and that may just hurt them against RCB
Opportunities: Doug Bollinger and R. Ashwin are the two bowlers who really make the CSK attack lethal. While it's very difficult to hit Bollinger away both in the initial and slog overs, the canny Ashwin has the ability to take vital wickets
Threats: CSK looked clueless against Chris Gayle in Bangalore. Even Ashwin, who can take the ball away from Gayle, couldn't resist him. CSK will have to chalk out some plan to resist the marauding West Indian
X factor
CSK: R Ashwin
The off-spinner has been one of the most reliable bowlers around in the death overs. Dhoni will turn to him in pressure situations, and expect Ashwin to deliver more often than not. It would be interesting to see if Ashwin can get early the way he got Shane Watson during the World Cup quarterfinal.
M: 14, Wkts: 16, Best Bowling: 2-12, Avg: 21.18, Econ: 6.16
RCB: S Aravind
This left-arm seamer has impressed many people, including the likes of former India pacers Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, who also happens to be RCB's bowling coach. Aravind seems to be revelling under the guidance of Zaheer, and has been an integral part of the RCB attack this season with 16 scalps.
M: 10, Wkts: 16, Best Bowling: 4-14, Avg: 16.87, Econ: 7.29
Key Clashes
R Ashwin vs Chris Gayle
Ashwin loves the challenge of bowling to the big hitters with the field up in the powerplays and has the variations to trouble the best of the lot. Gayle, as has been seen is in murderous form. Expect him to try and play out the crafty offie and attack the medium pacers. Gayle would also be keen to keep an eye on the carom ball and keep his pads out of the way against it. This could well be a match-defining contest.
Zaheer vs Hussey
Well on the way to becoming one of India's greatest fast bowlers, Zaheer Khan can dismiss and work out left-handed batsmen even in his sleep. He has a good record against Hussey and his slower-knuckle ball has troubled the Aussie before. One can expect Hussey to stand outside his crease to negate Zaheer's movement. An arresting clash this.
Vettori vs Dhoni
Two inspirational captains. Two great leaders. While tactically, Dhoni may steal a march over the affable Kiwi, Vettori has come into his own and has won the respect of some of the biggest stars with elephant-sized egos in the team. Expect Vettori to bring himself on against the CSK skipper as he is a scratchy starter against slow bowling. Vettori also has one of the best arm balls in the business and against Dhoni, who has an extravagant backlift, it can be a handy weapon.
Venue blues: What to expect
After 3 World Cup and 7 IPL matches, the Wankhede track is worn out. It has lot of turn and bounce for spinners.
RCB:
Top three batsmen: Gayle, Kohli, de Villiers
Top three bowlers: Zaheer, Vettori, Aravind
CSK:
Top three batsmen: Dhoni, Raina, Badrinath
Top three bowlers: Ashwin, Bollinger, Albie Morkel
Track Record
CSK - M: 14, Won: 9, Loss: 5
RCB - M: 14, Won: 9, Loss: 4
Head to head (IPL 4): CSK: 1, RCB: 1
Head to head (overall): CSK: 4, RCB: 5
toi
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