Bangalore look to bounce back

After a mediocre performance at the Eden Gardens, Bangalore would be looking for a more spirited effort from its players as they get ready to host Kings XI Punjab.

Bangalore would need to do some rethinking after they were comprehensively beaten in all departments by the men from Kolkata. They looked like a bunch of school kids in a local tournament and were struggling to put runs on the board. The Royal Challengers need its youngsters and the new international contingent to fire if they want to survive in this gruelling tournament. Mark Boucher could get his first start of the season and is a key player for the side from Karnataka. The bowlers also need to get their act together as they were hammered all over the park in their opening match of the tournament.

Kings XI Punjab, blemished by injuries, did well to take the match against Delhi into the last over, and lived to fight another day. Ravi Bopara was the star for Mohali and was ‘cool as a cucumber’, collecting 56 runs off 48 balls. The Lions need to play with a lot more aggression and grab the opportunities coming their way with both hands. Sreesanth, Yuvraj Singh, Sangakkara and Boapara would be the key players for Punjab.