TNN
Bangalore, Apr 14: The biggest change with the Royal Challengers Bangalore side this season is that they can no longer be called a Test team in T20 clothing. Opening the batting with Rahul Dravid at one end and Wasim Jaffer at the other was not the best way to go about launching a T20 chase in the opening game. This year the addition of power-hitters such as Kevin Peitersen, Robin Uthappa and Jesse Ryder will no doubt boost the batting rate, each of the trio bringing their own distinct styles of hammering a cricket ball.
As regards the bowling, the loss of Zaheer Khan to Mumbai will somewhat be offset with the availability of a fit again Nathan Bracken, also a left-arm seamer. Of course the Aussie will only join the team after his national duty ends. The presence of veteran leggie Anil Kumble in the spin department may also come in handy.
The other significant change is in the think tank. There is no Martin Crowe, no Venkatesh Prasad and no Dravid (who will play as a batsman) and it will be a Pietersen-Ray Jennings show. Pietersen will undoubtedly bring in a brand of dynamism the team desperately needs.
In: Kevin Pietersen, Robin Uthappa, Jesse Ryder
Out: Zaheer Khan, Martin Crowe (coach), Venkatesh Prasad (bowling coach)