Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors are two different type of teams. Last time when they met Gayle scored unbeaten 175 runs in 66 balls and took T20 records to new height. But the remaining RCB batsmen also scored 88 runs in 9 overs which is too high by the batting standards of Warriors who are not known to score highs total. They are a 140-run team which is no match for even weakened RCB.
Bangalore Eying Rare Away Win to Seal Semifinal Spot
With two home matches taken as assured win, Royal Challengers Bangalore need at least one win in Away matches, and for that today is their best chance when they play against Pune Warriors.
Even if Gayle is packed early, Kohli and AB de Villiers can play quick but what they score would be at a rate that is possible for a human chase, unlike Gayle whose quick starts and long innings generate a mechanical increase in run rate of RCB and opponents find it hard to match it with their team of 11 humans.
Any team would be expected to learn from the last game but would not it be too harsh to expect them to learn? Despite two and half poor editions with 29 defeats and only 10 wins they have not yet learnt to utilise the exceptional resources in their pool. If they cannot learn from so many defeats then expecting them to defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore is a foolish act.
Even if they get Gayle early, rest of the RCB batsmen can easily get at least 150 runs that is enough for them to lose the match, according to their history of current edition so far.
History
They have met thrice in last two seasons and RCB has won all of them. The only time they came close was when RCB sealed a win from the jaws of defeat by hitting 21 runs in the last over.
Head-to-Head RCB 3, PWI 0
2011
- RCB won by 26 runs, MOM: Virat Kohli
2012
- RCB won by 6 wickets, MOM: Gayle
RCB won by 35 runs, MOM: Gayle
2011
- RCB won by 130 runs, MOM: Gayle
2013 Performances
RCB is eying one rare Away win that can almost guarantee their place in semifinal as they are confident of winning the remaining two games at hoome. Warriors on the other hand have lost some close matches and after 10 matches they have only 2 wins to show against 8 losses.
RCB Match Results
PWI Match Results
Overall IPL Performances
- In their first IPL in 2011 Pune finished 9th with 4 wins and 9 losses.
Even in 2nd IPL in 2012 their number of wins remained same. They had 4 wins and 12 losses.
In 2008, RCB finished second from the bottom winning 4 matches and Lost 10.
In 2009, RCB finished 2nd best registering 9 wins and 7 losses.
In 2010, RCB finished 3rd winning 8 and losing 8 games
In 2011, RCB reached the final winning 10 and losing 6.
In 2012, RCB could not reach the knockout on lesser NRR.
Team Comparison
Before they left Home they were on top of Points Table with 6 wins in 8 matches. They still have the Orange Cap but Purple Cap is lost. The deadly trio has been decoded in the last two away matches. Yet they are much superior side than Warriors. Again they proved that at home. And after their 4 consecutive losses in Away matches their biggest challenge is no more Pune Warriors or any team as they know they are capable enough to defeat any team. But their biggest challenge is of winning an Away match.
RCB Team Statistics in 2013 IPL
Warriors have settled with their third captain. Still Finch does not look like the motivating captain. His no interest in Yuvraj’s bowling, despite his initial success as bowler in current edition, is one of the many decisions that baffle. He has record four opening partnership with Uthappa but they provide such a slow run rate that the team struggles after that. Luke Wright, Kane Richardson and Steven Smith are the only players in their team who appear partially threatening besides Finch as a batsman.
Rahul Sharma looks average this season, while B Kumar has been the leader. He had an economical return even when Gayle slaughtered his team. But that was primarily because Dilshan faced him in first three overs. Overall very weak performances so far. And they do not look like winning anymore.
Pune Warriors Team Statistics in 2013 IPL
Verdict
Considering the very poor performance of RCB so far in away games, this is the best chance for Warriors to register their third win of the season. They are already knocked out of the tournament and probably can play without pressure now. RCB on the other hand has the best chance to win an Away match as team to team comparison prove that even their 50% effort would be enough to get better of Warriors.
Like every other team that has won against RCB, Warriors would know, although after burning their hands now, that sending Gayle to dug out early reduces only 50% tension. And their poor batting is not even capable of dealing with remaining 50% challenge that without Gayle remaining RCB batsmen pose.
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