Royal Challengers Bangalore will be certainly one of the teams to beat in the third edition of the Indian Premier League, and not just because they were runners-up last year. This time, RCB have a full-time leader in Anil Kumble and, more significantly, their Indian portion is in terrific touch.
Kumble, indeed, was the Super Man of RCB in IPL II in South Africa without ever giving that impression. The Bangalorean did his job in the most dignified manner without losing the competitive streak after taking over from Kevin Pietersen, who returned to England for international duty.
How Kumble, a past master in welding a team in crisis, instilled fresh doses of confidence in his ranks was one of the stories of the previous edition and their incredible run was halted only in the final by eventual champions Deccan Chargers.
This time he is firmly at the helm, and with time enough to plan ahead, the leader and performer in Kumble -- never satisfied with anything less than a victory -- could be doubly dangerous. Another factor that will give the veteran leg-spinner a great deal of confidence is the form of the Indian contingent comprising Virat Kohli, Abhimanyu Mithun, R Vinay Kumar, Manish Pandey, Praveen Kumar and Robin Uthappa.
The first four have grown in stature between IPL II and the latest edition. Kohli has already broken the brash stereotype about him in the series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. RCB coach Ray Jennings had recently confirmed the transformation of the Delhi lad. “Kohli is our future captain. He can take over from Kumble, and I also have no doubt that he can be India’s captain in the next two-three years.”
The pace duo of Mithun and Vinay showed their prowess in the 2009-10 Ranji Trophy season, completing a Karnataka one-two in the wicket-takers’ chart. Mithun has already worn the India colours, and it’s a matter of time before Vinay too joins his younger State-mate. With IPL III being staged in familiar conditions, these two will be raring to have another go at the batsmen.
Now, it’s time to roll out the red carpet for Pandey, easily the most stunning young talent around. Four-day, one-day and T20, this young man has proved his skills beyond doubt in the past year in all formats. Nimble feet, quick hands, sharp eye, a keen brain and attitude of a boxer, Pandey, the lone Indian centurion in the IPL, will be one of the most sought after players in this edition.
That the matches will be played on run-loaded Indian pitches will make him an even more dangerous batsman to bowl at. If you want further evidence, take a look at his Ranji record -- a whopping 882 runs.
It will not be surprising to watch the bowlers offering some prayers when Pandey walks out of the dug-out. His State-mate Uthappa may not be in the best of form right now, but the Coorg lad, if Jennings is to be believed, is just a knock away from regaining form. The presence of the ever-dependable Rahul Dravid completes a line-up for any surface and situation.
Praveen Kumar along with two South Africans -- Jacques Kallis and Roelof van der Merwe -- gives all-round options to the RCB management. In Dale Steyn, the Bangalore side has a top-notch pace bowler and the South African is in prime form as well. Among the foreign party, Eoin Morgan will be keenly watched as the young England man has showed his eye for invention and improvisation in the recent months against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
“Morgan could be the surprise package for us this time. He is new to IPL and world cricket, and he has not been played in the market a lot. But his style of play is very much suited to Indian conditions,” Jennings said about RCB’s latest signing.
However, his country-mate Pietersen presents a totally contrasting picture. There was a lot of buzz around him last year, but poor form poured cold water over his IPL ambitions after a handful of matches. The Hampshireman is still to be his dominating self after an ankle surgery, but ignoring this super talent could only bring perils to the opposition.
On the flip side, RCB will miss the services of Kiwi Jesse Ryder, out with an injury, and his compatriot Ross Taylor will be available only later this month due to national commitments. In that scenario, there will be a lot of responsibility on Aussie Cameron White, in good form of late, to accelerate scoring in the middle-order.
In short, Bangalore have a side quite capable of bringing the trophy to Vijay Mallya’s cabinet. But will they be able to sustain the intensity and sharpness over the next six weeks? Let’s hope this summer belongs to Bangalore.