Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, May 14 : Hello, and a warm welcome to one and all to match 63 of the Indian T20 League. It is the green day today in Bangalore as the tournament returns to the venue after 18 days. Bangalore were table toppers when they left their home for an all India trip, but they now return back to their fortress needing to win their last two matches. On the other hand, Punjab have only a mathematical chance of qualifying and have nothing to lose really.
Punjab have won the toss and elected to field
Kohli: 'We would have bowled first as well. Now, we need to put up a big total on the board. Anything above 160 is quite defendable, but with Punjab's batting line up, no score can be safe. We have made four changes. Mithun, Tiwary, Rampaul and Murali Karthik have been left out. Zaheer Khan gets his first match, Muralitharan comes back. KL Rahul and Arun Karthik are back as well. It is great to come back home after 3 tough weeks on road. All the teams have home advantage, we played some good cricket there, but just could not get over the line. Ups and downs are inevitable in this tournament, we are looking to play some good cricket at home.'
Gilchrist: We will bowl first. Unfortunately, Praveen has a niggle and has been replaced by Manpreet Gony. Historically, teams chasing have done well. We need a very very intelligent mathematician to work out for us, but we need to win all the last three matches. We have been a mix of good, bad and indifferent. This has been the story for us over the last few seasons. Bangalore can be beaten here. I see that Muralitharan and Zaheer are back in the playing XI for them.
Muralitharan and Zaheer are back in the playing XI for Bangalore.
Teams:
Punjab (Playing XI): Mandeep Singh, Adam Gilchrist(w/c), Shaun Marsh, David Miller, Manan Vohra, Azhar Mahmood, Rajagopal Sathish, Piyush Chawla, Manpreet Gony, Parvinder Awana, Sandeep Sharma
Bangalore (Playing XI): Chris Gayle, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers, Moises Henriques, Arun Karthik(w), Lokesh Rahul, Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jaidev Unadkat
Match Preview:
Although Bangalore are at the fourth position in the points table, their place in the play-offs is still unclear. After losing two out their three matches, they return home to avenge Punjab in a crucial game. Caught in the middle of the points table scuffle, Bangalore have no choice but to win the remaining games and keep their fingers crossed. Meanwhile, Punjab are almost out of the race but they will hoping to repeat their previous feat and notch up an 'away' win.
Bangalore
Bangalore have suffered four defeats in their last six games and find themselves in vulnerable position stuck on 16 points. They will have to rely on their explosive batting line-up and a methodical bowling unit to pull them out of this mess and take them closer to the play-offs.
In form player: Virat Kohli - The captain has been leading by example with breath-taking performances. He has been as aggressive as Gayle in this format hitting powerful shots and helping the team. He currently has 521 runs from 14 matches and will be looking forward to continue his dream run in the remaining two games and get Bangalore a play-offs berth.
Hit: Ravi Rampaul - Rampaul has been an excellent bowler for Bangalore performing at crunch times. He bowled a good spell in the previous match against Kolkata dismissing Bisla in the first over itself. He has a knack of curbing the run rate of the opposite team and Bangalore will be hoping that he also manages to get wickets and put the opposition in trouble.
Miss: Cheteshwar Pujara - Pujara missed the earlier games due to an injury and was forced to sit out. However, his arrival in team has not marked any special changes as he has continued to struggle in the matches played so far. He has failed to give Bangalore a good start and they will be hoping that he teams up with Gayle to propel Bangalore's score at the beginning itself.
Last three matches: Lost to Kolkata by 5 wickets, Won against Delhi by 4 runs, Lost to Punjab by 6 wickets
Punjab
Miller magic destroyed Bangalore in their previous encounter in an exciting match that Punjab confidently won by 6 wickets. Out of the race now, Punjab will play for pride and honour as they take on a vengeful Bangalore in the evening game on Tuesday.
In form player: David Miller - This exceptional South African batsman has come all guns blazing in this tournament. Putting up some magnificent performances that have even over-shadowed Gayle, Miller made a sizzling 101 off just 38 balls to take Punjab home the last they played against Bangalore and his hands will be itching to repeat the act again.
Hit: Sandeep Sharma - Sandeep has excellent line and length and capable of bowling good economical spells. He did well in the previous match against Hyderabad finishing on 3/21 in his quota of four overs. Punjab will hope,he maintains the same momentum in the next match to clean up the rival top order.
Miss: Pravin Kumar - As Punjab's star bowler, Pravin Kumar will be desperately wishing to get back in the groove. He has proved ineffective in last few matches
Last three matches: Lost to Hyderabad by 30 runs, Lost to Rajasthan by 8 wickets, Won against Bangalore by by 6 wickets
Head to Head: 11 matches; Punjab - 6, Bangalore - 5
Quotes:
David Miller talks about his game - I've realised that even at the end of the innings, you've got more time than you think. Out there in the middle everyone sort of rushes and there's a lot of pressure around you. That's when you need to calm yourself down and believe that you have enough time on your hands
Every game is tricky, especially with how the table has panned out and we haven't made it easy for ourselves. It's going to be a must-win situation for us now. And since no one is doing us any favours, we need to take care of ourselves. - Murali Kartik believes Bangalore will have to play to their strengths to keep up.
CB Pick: Bangalore - Wounded from previous loss and determined to inch ahead, Bangalore will be on a revenge path and give Punjab a tough time.