Can't wait for the action: Vettori

Ahead of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s season-opening game against Delhi Daredevils, skipper Daniel Vettori was confident that the last year’s runners-up would come good in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League.

Delhi, who opened their account with a facile win over Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday night, will take on Vettori’s men at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Saturday evening, and it’s an important one for the home side, and their biggest concern would be fitness issues pertaining to Chris Gayle and Dirk Nannes.

“Everyone’s pretty excited. We’ve seen the last couple of games on TV. Being one of the last teams to start, everyone’s ready to get into it,” said Vettori here on Friday.  “Chris (Gayle) missed the series in South Africa, so we’re keeping a close eye on him. Dirk (Nannes) missed the final, we’re keeping an eye on him too. We’ll have more understanding (of the situation on fitness) tonight. We’ll find out after training today... we’re hopeful everyone’s available,” he remarked.

Gayle and Virat Kohli, who has become the backbone of the Indian batting line-up recently, had put bowlers to shame in the last edition of the event, and Vettori hoped they would continue in the same vein.

“Gayle has proved himself to be probably the best T20 batsman in the world. I know he loves playing for Bangalore, he loves the ground here. He set himself some pretty high standards last year but we’re expecting much the same this year,” said left-arm spinner, who also hoped the team would shed their ‘slow-starters’ tag, and focus more on fielding.

“Kohli was good for us last year as well. The innings that he played in Australia (against Sri Lanka at Hobart) and then in the Asia Cup showed what a quality player he is. He has established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world,” Vettori said.