RCB can go top of the table with a win over league strugglers Pune.
This clash appears to be a bit of a mismatch on the face of it, but six years of the IPL has shown that the phrase ‘every dog has its day’ has never been more appropriate.
Royal Challengers Bangalore are making a strong case for the playoffs in this early stage of the 2013 tournament, but Pune Warriors India have shown they are no pushovers.
However, RCB have to be the favourites on home turf as impressive batting performances so far this year have shown they are going to be a capable force.
New captain Virat Kohli and the ever-reliable Chris Gayle have smashed their way to nearly 600 IPL runs between them, whilst after a delayed start through injury AB de Villiers is now hot on their tail.
Pune have all-rounder Aaron Finch to thank for the majority of their runs, after the Australian was brought in to replace his fellow countryman Michael Clarke – who was ruled out for the entire tournament with a back injury.
With the ball Vinay Kumar tops the most number of wickets for the tournament with 12, putting to rest the criticism that Royal Challengers are just a batting team.
For the away side both Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rahul Sharma have looked in good form taking eight and seven wickets respectively and skipper Angelo Mathews will be hoping they can get a couple of Bangalore’s danger-men early on today.
Watch the live stream of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India in the 2013 IPL here.
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