It is a do-or-die game for both the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals, as they meet at MCA Stadium in Pune for the IPL 2015 Eliminator on Wednesday. The winner of the match will face Chennai Super Kings on Friday for a place in the final of IPL 2015.
Both teams have had a decent season, but they need to come with their best game today if they are to have any chance of progressing further in the competition.
With a number of star players in both the camps, it is time for them to stand up and be counted.
Here is a look at some players, who are required to deliver for their team and help them turn victorious.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Yuzvendra Chahal – After showing great promise in the last edition of IPL, the leg-spinner has been a crucial bowler for Virat Kohli in IPL 2015. Chahal has bowled during difficult situations of the game and has still been amongst the wickets. Though, his economy rate of 9.45 might not be the greatest, he has taken 19 wickets at an average of 19.31. With batsmen such as Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Sanju Samson and Ajinkya Rahane in the opposition camp, Chahal needs to be on top of his game.
Dinesh Karthik – The wicketkeeper batsman has not lived up to expectations of RCB as he was one of the most expensive players in IPL 2015 auction. He has been great behind the wicket, but his performance with the willow has been below par with 105 runs from 14 matches. The RCB camp has shown great faith in the player's ability and it is time to pay back such faith with some crucial runs with the willow.
AB de Villiers –The South African has been phenomenal with the bat, scoring 446 runs so far in the competition. With a strike rate of 176.98, de Villiers has demolished bowlers all round the park and expect the Proteas skipper to play with the same aggression against RR as well. If de Villiers gets his act going, there is no bowler who can stop the run flow from his bat. RR will consider his wicket as a prized scalp.
Rajasthan Royals
Chris Morris – In Morris, RR have a bowler, who can bowl with decent pace and trouble the likes of Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle with bounce, which he can generate from his height. Morris has been wonderful with the new ball, taking 12 wickets in the competition so far. The bowler has been a useful bowler during the slog overs as well. RR skipper Smith will be delighted if Morris manages to dismiss the RCB openers in his first spell.
Shane Watson – After handing over the captaincy reins to Smith, the Australian has played fearless cricket and has been an integral part with both the bat and ball. Coming with an impressive hundred in their last game against KKR, Shane Watson will be a confident player and he needs to be on top of his game with fellow countryman, Mitchell Starc coming in to bowl at full steam. Watson has scored 337 runs and taken 6 wickets in IPL 2015.
James Faulkner – The Australian started IPL 2015 on a bright note, but has been below par with both and bat and ball since, having scored just 140 runs and taken 8 wickets. But, his all-round ability is going to be an important factor in the match as he has the potential to score quick runs and bowl in the right areas during the death overs.
