KKR looked a shadow of their past in their season-opener
Former head coach Ravi Shastri feels India should look "in the direction" of Virat Kohli to lead the side in a major game, like the WTC final, if skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable due to "unforeseen circumstances".
It will be a battle of survival for the two national captains as Virat Kohli's struggling Royal Challengers Bangalore square off against a fledgling Pune Supergiants led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in an IPL encounter for the bottom-rung teams in Bengaluru on Saturday. With five defeats in seven games, RCB are currently placed at a lowly seventh spot in the table with four points while Pune are just a notch above in sixth spot courtesy their third win against Delhi Daredevils, on Thursday. It has been a tough journey for the two superstars of Indian cricket as their franchises have dished one disappointing performance after another. RCB with perhaps the most intimidating batting line-ups has had to taste defeat because of a pedestrian bowling attack that has failed to defend 180 plus scores in most of the matches.
Rahul Tewatia (43 not out) and David Miller (39 not out) did the job for GT after the table toppers were struggling at 95 for four in the 13th over.
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli reflects on the dropped catches by his team after the 59-run drubbing from Delhi Capitals
'The next objective is to make sure we create the right performance, and culture where the players can really go and showcase what they are capable of, and go out and entertain the public.'
Lockie Ferguson's inclusion gave the much-needed impetus to the side, but KKR are still struggling with their star all-rounder Andre Russell who capped yet another flop show with the bat.
Shubman Gill steps into the limelight as the fifth-youngest Indian captain in the IPL's 16-year history.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will have rise to the occasion when they take on the already-eliminated Delhi Daredevil
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli admitted to having misread the M Chinnaswamy track that turned out to be a batsman's paradise rather than being a slow turner during their Indian Premier League match against Rajasthan Royals, in Bengaluru, on Sunday.
An umpiring howler off the last delivery cost Royal Challengers Bangalore dearly as Mumbai Indians beat the hosts by six runs, largely due to Jasprit Bumrah's brilliant spell at the death, in Thursday's IPL encounter in Bengaluru.
The KKR think-tank might not be unduly worried as their campaign is still at a nascent stage, but they would like to see the first-choice pacer and spinner finding their range at the earliest.
Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi feels Indian captain Virat Kohli should step down from the leadership role in all formats of the game to flourish as a batsman for his country.
Royal Challengers Bangalore beat defending champions Mumbai Indians by two wickets in a last-ball thriller in the Indian Premier League opener, in Chennai, on Friday.
Royal Challengers Bangalore, who have found much-needed momentum towards the business end of IPL 2022, will back themselves to ride past an inconsistent Punjab Kings and get closer to a play-off spot.
Rohit Sharma was also critical of umpiring standard during the match.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will expect more runs from their batters and discipline in 'death' overs bowling when they take on high-flying Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL match in Bengaluru on Monday.
Images from Thursday's IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab, in Sharjah.
The middle-order continues to remain a concern for CSK with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni himself not being at his best.
Kyle Jamieson was impeccable with his lines and lengths right from the onset.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bangalore
Assured of a play-off berth, Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to quickly recover from their loss in the previous game and finish the league phase on a high when they take on table-toppers Delhi Capitals in their final IPL round-robin game in Dubai on Friday.
Desperate to get their campaigns back on track, the two bottom placed teams in the Indian Premier League -- Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bangalore -- lock horns in Mohali on Monday, aiming to keep their winning momentum going to stay afloat in the ninth edition of the T20 league.
Images from Friday's IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad, in Abu Dhabi.
Royal Challengers Bangalore wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Rajasthan Royals would aim to build on their promising start to the season when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore, a side that is yet to unlock its potential.
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli is all set to give up his opening slot and will bat at No 3, a position he has made his own in the national team.
De Villiers had been a big part of RCB family before he retired from all forms of cricket last year.
In past meeting, it was decided not to 'Mankaded' batsmen as courtesy: IPL Chairman
India captain Virat Kohli said it is unfortunate to "end up here early" for the IPL after a COVID-19 outbreak led to the cancellation of the fifth Test against England and hoped for a "secure" bio-bubble in the league to tackle the "uncertain" times.
The mega auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is expected to be held in Riyadh at the end of this month, according to sources.
The South African trio of AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Chris Morris arrived in Dubai in the wee hours of Saturday to join their Royal Challengers Bangalore teammates for the upcoming Indian Premier League.
Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell launched an incredible counter-attack after the fall of quick wickets in the start to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to an entertaining five-wicket victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. Chasing a challenging 186-run target set by RCB, Yusuf smashed an unbeaten 60 off only 29 balls to guide KKR home with five balls remaining.
Kolkata Knight Riders will have their task cut out as they take on a determined Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL 2022 league match on Wednesday.
However, it remains to be seen how RCB will cope without players like Rajat Patidar and Josh Hazlewood, who both have been sidelined for at least the first half of this IPL due to injuries. Australian Glenn Maxwell is also unlikely to feature in Sunday's game.
Virat Kohli's decision to quit Royal Challengers Bangalore captaincy after the ongoing season had no impact on the team's performance against Kolkata Knight Riders, asserted head coach Mike Hesson.
On a high after extracting revenge against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to continue their winning streak when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL match in Bangalore on Thursday.
Kolkata Knight Riders's impact player Andre Russell was forced to skip Thursday's practice session owing to a shoulder injury sustained while batting in the nets on Wednesday.
Punjab Kings kept their prospects of making the play-offs alive after a a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai on Friday. They are placed fifth with 12 points, after five wins and seven defeats. Victory in Sunday's outing will certainly enhance their chances.
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