Royal Challengers Bangalore look to end winless streak

Royal Challengers Bangalore who will be hosting Rajasthan Royals for a crucial game here today

Bangalore: With barely a day to recover from the mauling they received at the hands of Kings XI Punjab on Friday night, the pressure will be squarely on Royal Challengers Bangalore who will be hosting Rajasthan Royals for a crucial game here today.

Royal Challengers will bank on AB de Villiers for a good score. Pic/PTI.

Struggling in the bottom half of the eight-team league, RCB are on six points after eight matches and need to get a move on if they hope to qualify for the play-offs, while Rajasthan, currently on 10 from eight outings occupy third spot. RCB’s much-hyped batting line-up has been the focus of attention not for its array of big-hitters, but rather the collective failure.

The likes of Chris Gayle, skipper Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh have been woefully short of runs with South African ace AB de Villiers, the most consistent of the willow-wielders, being the only high-point.

In contrast, the Royals, under Shane Watson, have performed far better though they are coming off a defeat that saw them capitulate to 102 all out chasing 134 against the Sunrisers. The Royals have been well-served by teenage batting sensation Sanju Samson and opener Ajinkya Rahane, besides Pravin Tambe, the grand old man of IPL at 42, seamer Rajat Bhatia and Dhawal Kulkarni.

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