Super Saturday for Champions League

Do-or-die battle on the cards

Bangaloreans have taken to the competition warmly, especially when their favourite sons have been in action. On festive, holiday Saturday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, though, their loyalty will be put to the test.

As much as they would love a home victory, an anticipated capacity crowd will inevitably hope that at least Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan from the Delhi Daredevils put on an exhibition of batsmanship befitting the Festival of Lights, and no little sound.

Final hurrah

There will be no lack of desperation in either camp. Even if their fate is sealed after the day’s first game—in the event of the Cape Cobras defeating Victoria Bushrangers—the Royal Challengers will eye a final hurrah, one last parting gift to supporters that have stood by them through thick and thin, and who have made the likes of Jacques Kallis and Ross ‘Ooh-aah’ Taylor feel at home.

Whereas the Challengers require a series of mini-miracles to seal a semifinal berth, the Daredevils are masters of their own destiny.

Man for man, they have the expertise and the experience to match the home team; they also have the man for all seasons, Sehwag.

The Delhi side must win both their matches to make up for the first-phase defeat at the hands of the Bushrangers.

Easy pickings

While the Daredevils will hardly consider the Challengers easy pickings, they are thrilled at the prospect of getting away from the dead track at the Feroze Shah Kotla to a truer wicket that should suit not only their array of stroke-makers but also their battery of seam-up bowlers with Glenn McGrath and Ashish Nehra in the forefront. Fireworks guaranteed, welcome to Super Saturday.