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The BCCI has approved the Indian team management’s request to send a group of Test players early to South Africa to get “acclimatised” to the conditions

Nagraj Gollapudi21-Oct-2010The BCCI has approved the Indian team management’s request to send a group of Test players early to South Africa to get “acclimatised” to the conditions and make up for the absence of practice games before the three-Test series that begins on December 16. It is not yet clear who the concerned players are and how many will be part of the group which is expected to depart immediately after the third Test against New Zealand on November 24. India and New Zealand play a five-match ODI series that concludes on December 10, six days prior to the first Test in Centurion.Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI’s chief administrative officer, confirmed the development, stating the request had come from coach Gary Kirsten. “The plan now is to send some of the Test players early. The team management and the coach expressed the desire that there is a need for acclimatisation in South Africa,” Shetty said. In his discussions with the board, Kirsten had emphasised the importance of early preparation and had pointed out India’s 1-2 series defeat on their last trip to South Africa in 2006-07. Back then, India were ranked No. 4 on the Test ladder. However, this time, India go into the series at No.1, a ranking they’ve held on to since beating Sri Lanka in December 2009.The board’s nod is a small victory for Kirsten, who has been busy putting a structure in place as part of his plans for the future. It is understood that as early as February this year Kirsten asked the BCCI to consider rescheduling the home series against New Zealand. He wanted to cull the three-Test series to two. This would have served the dual purpose of giving rest to the core group of seven to eight players and providing them ample time to recover to get an early feel of South African conditions. But the board’s response was not favourable at first.However, immediately after the Sri Lanka series in August this year, Kirsten was informed that a few Test players could leave for South Africa early. Kirsten then sent an email – a copy of which is available with ESPNcricinfo – to this team management. “There is no change to NZ schedule and we will play last ODI on the 10th Dec,” the e-mail read. “It has however been agreed to get as many Test players as possible to South Africa early and we will rotate players during ODI series against NZ.”For the ongoing ODI series against Australia, at least five first-choice players were rested in order to keep them fresh for the Test series. Shetty mentioned that the same exercise would be repeated in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand. He said his was part of the drill to keep the Indian team in the perfect shape for the World Cup.”The process has started already. Except MS Dhoni, no senior player is there in the present ODI team (for the Australia series). Despite that our team performed really well yesterday. I hope this will work because this is one way the team management is working out a plan towards the World Cup,” Shetty said. At the same time, he said, it was an opportunity for youngsters to excel and make a point in the lead-up to the World Cup.Dhoni had recently echoed these sentiments. India play 12 more ODIs before the World Cup, hosted jointly by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, gets underway in February next year, and Dhoni wanted to make sure his first-choice players aren’t hampered by fatigue or injury.
“In last few series, we have not played with our strongest side and rested most players. Maybe injuries were a bit more concern, we are a bit cautious,” said Dhoni. “We don’t want our big players to get injured before a tournament especially when it’s happening in India. Hopeful everyone will get fit for World Cup.”

A round-up of the fourth day’s action of the eighth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2009-10

Cricinfo staff25-Nov-2009

Group A

Asif Hussain’s watchful century was the highlight of the day as the match between Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi fizzled out to a draw. Resuming on 1 for no loss, WAPDA were lifted by Asif’s eighth first-class century to 195 for 4. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 100, hitting 11 fours during his 263-ball innings, as WAPDA declared after 59 overs. The target of 354 was impossible for KRL, but they lost their openers during the seven overs they had to face. Both teams agreed to a draw, but WAPDA captain Ahmed Said would be happier, having pocketed first-innings points.

Group A

The highlights from the matches in the Chattogram phase of the BPL

Mohammad Isam23-Jan-2025Rangpur Riders and Fortune Barishal have opened up a lead at the top of the BPL points table but the race for the other two playoff spots are tight during the Chattogram phase of the tournament. Durbar Rajshahi and Dhaka Capitals have revived their campaigns and are closing in on No. 3, where Chittagong Kings are placed after losing three of their last four games.Khulna Tigers are fourth at present with a game in hand over the two teams below them, but will rue missing a great chance to beat Rangpur. Sylhet Strikers are the only team still struggling with four points at the bottom of the table.Rajshahi began their Chattogram leg under fire after their players protested over not being paid by skipping a training session. But they were the first team to beat Rangpur this season, trouncing them by 24 runs. Barishal beat Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna in their matches in Chattogram.

Best batter: Tanzid Hasan

Dhaka’s revival was spearheaded by their openers, with Tanzid Hasan hitting 62, 22 and 90 not out off 54 balls in three innings in Chattogram, to follow up his century against Rajshahi in Sylhet. His seven sixes during his unbeaten 90 against Chittagong took his tally to 29 – the most by a Bangladesh batter in a BPL season.Chittagong’s Graham Clark struck a superb century, a match-winning 101 off 50 balls, against Khulna. Anamul Haque also scored a hundred – 100 not out off 57 – against Khulna but his innings came in defeat for Rajshahi during a chase of 210. Anamul’s team-mate Yasir Ali made 60 off 32 with six sixes in a victory against Rangpur.Akif Javed derailed Chittagong Kings with 4 for 32•Rangpur Riders

Best bowler: Akif Javed

Pakistan quick Akif Javed is becoming the revelation of the season; he’s currently second on the wicket charts with 15 scalps and an economy of 6.59. Javed, 24, has hit speeds in the high 140kph range and took four wickets against Chittagong and three against Rajshahi, often using the bouncer to good effect from around the wicket.Ryan Burl’s four-wicket haul was instrumental in Rajshahi’s big win against Rangpur. Some of the tournament’s top spinners were also successful in Chattogram, with Tanvir Islam, Mohammad Nawaz, Arafat Sunny and Sunzamul Islam all taking three-wicket hauls.

Unusual events

Khulna’s 19-year-old left-arm spinner Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby conceded 27 in his only over against Chittagong; it was the second most expensive of the season behind Kyle Mayers’ 30-run over against Rangpur.Sylhet lost Al-Amin Hossain to an injury after the toss against Dhaka, but the opposition captain Thisara Perera reportedly refused them a replacement player.Rajshahi had a poor outing against Chittagong, getting bowled out for 80 – the lowest total in the franchise’s history. In that game, Chittagong’s Naeem Islam became only the second Bangladeshi batter after Mahmudullah to hit a fifty after turning 38.

Tale of the table

Rangpur finally lost this season after eight consecutive wins, but remain four points clear of Barishal in second place. The defeat to Rajshahi ended a 11-match winning streak for Rangpur going back to their Global Super League title triumph in Guyana.Barishal’s three consecutive wins have put them in second place, on the brink of a playoff spot. Chittagong, currently two points behind in third place, have tough fixtures coming up against Rangpur and Barishal. Khulna Tigers moved up to fourth place, level with Rajshahi on eight points but ahead on net run rate. Dhaka, despite being on six points, are also in the running for the playoffs.

He had earlier been suspended from all forms of cricket on charges of sexual assault in Sydney last November

Andrew Fidel Fernando17-Oct-2023Danushka Gunathilaka will be allowed to return to domestic and international cricket after being found not guilty of sexual assault.Although Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had supported Gunathilaka through his legal proceedings in Australia, going as far as to pay his legal fees – which the board said Gunathilaka is obligated to pay back – the board had suspended him from all forms of cricket in November 2022, while the legal process was ongoing.But an “independent inquiry committee” appointed by SLC has now recommended an “immediate lifting of [Gunathilaka’s] cricketing ban, allowing him to resume regular activities and return to national duty”. Gunathilaka, 32, has himself expressed a strong desire to return to training and cricket since being found not guilty in a Sydney court on September 23.Related

• Gunathilaka suspended by SLC from all forms of international cricket

• Gunathilaka found not guilty in sexual assault trial

He has also stated he would pursue compensation from the Australian government. Gunathilaka was required to remain in Australia during the course of the legal process, and had various other restrictions imposed upon him, such as a ban on his use of dating apps and social media, though these were relaxed over time.However, Gunathilaka did enjoy the public support of some public figures through this time, including present and former cricketers, and a government minister.This had been the latest of the suspensions imposed on Gunathilaka by SLC. He had previously been suspended on three separate occasions for disciplinary breaches, the last of which had come in June 2021, when he – along side Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella – had breached the Sri Lanka team’s bio-secure bubble in England.

ESPNcricinfo understands that SLC has told the game’s broadcasters not to show images of any protests

Andrew Fidel Fernando30-Jun-2022Sri Lanka’s police and army have removed anti-government protesters from the fort ramparts overlooking the ground at Galle, on each of the first two days of the ongoing Test against Australia. The public is ordinarily allowed to hold banners and placards as they view the match from the fort. These are mostly related to cricket.However, these protesters had held placards asking for the resignation of Sri Lanka’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and have as a result been removed, even though the ramparts are public space. Among the authorities’ concerns had been that a protest overlooking the cricket would be caught on the official broadcast, or be reported on by the international media.ESPNcricinfo understands, however, that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has told the game’s broadcasters not to show images of any protests. Some Australian and international media, though, have reported the wider context in which this series is occurring.In response to the protesters’ removal, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has told the police and army that there exists no basis in law for their removal.”It also been drawn to our attention that the particular area of the ramparts of the Galle Fort are public areas and hence that there is no lawful reason to disperse protestors,” the BASL said in a letter addressed to the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, and the Inspector General of Police. “We continue to remind you of the importance of allowing people to exercise their freedom of speech and expression including their right to dissent. The suppression of the people’s right to protest and dissent is not the answer to the present situation in the country where the people are facing untold hardships due to shortages of fuel and other essentials.”Sri Lanka is experiencing its worst economic crisis in generations, which has left the country desperately short of cooking gas, fuel, and essential medicines, as well as raised the cost of living substantially. As a result, there have been widespread protests in the country through the course of the year.SLC has essentially banned protests inside its grounds this series, preventing spectators from bringing anti-government placards and banners into its venues, although posters thanking Australia for touring were allowed.

Wicketkeeper-batsman, who initially rejected contract extension, is awarded a Benefit Year

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Mar-2021Ben Cox has agreed terms to keep him at Worcestershire until the end of the 2023 County season.Cox initially rejected an offer to stay with the club beyond the 2021 season, but Worcestershire announced on Tuesday that he had agreed a two-year contract extension.Cox, who made his debut for Worcestershire as a 17-year-old schoolboy in 2009, has also been awarded a Benefit Year in 2021, recognising his “lengthy and outstanding service”, the club said.”This club means the world to me, being a Worcestershire boy, and it means a hell of a lot to commit for another three years to the club,” Cox told the Worcestershire website. “If you had asked me when I made my debut that you would have had a 15-year career, and the club had offered you a Benefit Year, I would have snapped your hand off.”I’m over the moon to get things sorted for another three years, and I will still have more to give at the end of this contract, which excites me in itself. Fitness is always something I hold a high regard too, so, as I get older, I don’t see that changing, and I just want to keep doing the best I can be every time I go onto the field.”Cox believed that the club had taken “a big step in the right direction” last year in finishing second in the Central group of the Bob Willis Trophy.”There are some excellent keepers in the country,” he added. “If I can finish my career and people are saying ‘he was pretty good’, that is how I want to leave it.”Ben Cox starred on Blast Finals Day in 2018•Getty Images

Cox reached 500 career dismissals last year, including including 343 in first-class cricket, and he has scored 4764 first-class runs. He played a pivotal role in Worcestershire Rapids’ 2018 Vitality Blast triumph with Man-of-the-Match performances in the semi-final and final at Edgbaston.Worcestershire CCC Chairman Fanos Hira said: “It is pleasing that Ben will be with us until at least 2023. He is an impressive, popular player who has performed at a high level as a wicketkeeper since making his debut as a local schoolboy. He has ability, ambition, desire and potential to improve further.”I’m delighted he has reflected on and accepted our contract extension. Members will be able to support him in his richly deserved Benefit Year during his contract. We wish him well.”

England’s new-look squad face familiar opponents in Christchurch at start of new cycle

The Preview by Alan Gardner31-Oct-2019

Big Picture

So, who is going to be the first to mention the boundary count? Three-and-a-half months on from tied World Cup final (you don’t need me to remind you what happened next), New Zealand and England go toe-to-toe once again in a five-match T20I series that will act as a launchpad for both sides as the countdown begins to the 2020 T20 World Cup.As it goes, this is a format in which hitting the most boundaries often is significant. England reached the final of the 2016 World T20 during the early days of their reinvention as power-packed ODI juggernaut, and will likely be a dangerous proposition in Australia next year – though the squad sent to New Zealand is as much about potential as proven performance. And while the home side are missing their captain, Kane Williamson, as well as Trent Boult for the first three games, they have plenty of T20 chops – as shown by Colin Munro’s blitz to see off England in their second warm-up game.ALSO READ: Gregory faces all-round challenge to prove himself in finisher roleWhat has gone before is less important than what is to come (Really?! Ed), and each team has their own areas to focus on as, for the next 12 months T20Is – so often an afterthought for touring sides – gain extra relevance and context. For New Zealand, the opener issues that dogged their World Cup – an appearance in the final notwithstanding – threaten to linger, while elsewhere the likes of Tim Seifert, Daryl Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn will be hoping to make themselves indispensable under stand-in captain Tim Southee, who led the team to a 2-1 series win in Sri Lanka on their most recent tour.England’s overarching goal for the series, meanwhile, is to find out how a host of new faces go in international competition. The likes of Tom Banton and Pat Brown have caught the eye at domestic level in the Blast and, with a number of first-choice white-ball players rested after a doubly draining English summer featuring World Cup and Ashes, here comes a chance to step up.England’s T20 World Cup squad is sure to feature the likes of Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes (all absent on this leg of the trip), and Banton may have to go some to force his way through a queue of heavyweight top-order contenders, but there are obvious question marks around the lower middle-order finisher role and a couple of the bowling slots. Sam Curran, who has yet to play T20 internationals despite Test and ODI caps (not to mention an IPL contract), may have most to gain, while allrounder Lewis Gregory, legspinner Matt Parkinson and raw quick Saqib Mahmood will be hoping to catch the eye as the series wears on.Joe Denly is helped away after suffering an injury in training•Getty Images

Form guide

New Zealand LWWWL (completed matches, most recent first)
England WWWWW

In the spotlight

Ross Taylor is New Zealand’s most-capped batsman in T20Is, and likely to provide the glue in their middle-order – but the exact value of that role is something Gary Stead needs to determine ahead of the T20 World Cup. Taylor is now 35 and his last T20I fifty came in 2014, although he did top-score with 48 from 29 in his last innings but one to see New Zealand to victory in Pallekele.The leading wicket-taker in the Blast over the last two seasons, Pat Brown has impressed with his clear head as much as his befuddling slower balls. However, figures of 1 for 70 from seven overs in England’s two tour games – albeit marred by a couple of dropped catches – suggest the 21-year-old will have to adapt quickly when the series proper begins.

Team news

The absence of Williamson perhaps makes decision-making easier at the top of the order, with Seifert likely to slot in below regular openers, Martin Guptill and Munro. Lockie Ferguson made his return from injury in England’s warm-ups and is available for three games before Boult returns. Jimmy Neesham hasn’t played a T20I in two years but could provide competition for Mitchell, while Blair Tickner is the other seam-bowling option in the squad.New Zealand (possible): 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Tim Seifert (wk), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Colin de Grandhomme, 6 Daryl Mitchell, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Scott Kuggeleijn, 9 Tim Southee (capt), 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Ish SodhiEngland have announced T20I debuts for Sam Curran and Brown, while Gregory could also make his international bow after Joe Denly – who had been expected to bat at No. 5 – rolled his ankle in training. Morgan confirmed that Dawid Malan will open the batting alongside Jonny Bairstow and, while the final XI will be revealed on Friday, Banton, Parkinson and Mahmood look set to bide their time.England (possible): 1 Dawid Malan, 2 Jonny Bairstow, 3 James Vince, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Sam Billings (wk), 6 Lewis Gregory, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Chris Jordan, 9 Tom Curran, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Pat Brown

Pitch and conditions

The picturesque Hagley Oval will host its first T20 international on Friday, with Christchurch set to be cool but largely clear of the rain that affected Canterbury’s Plunket Shield match against Northern Districts last week (a game in which Seifert and Mitchell were among the four centurions). The ground is one of few in New Zealand built specifically for cricket and is therefore not quite such a postage stamp – which the bowlers may appreciate ahead of trips to the Westpac Stadium and Eden Park.

Stats and trivia

• Overall, in 16 T20Is going back to 2007, England are way ahead of New Zealand on boundary countback, having scored 342 (237 fours, 105 sixes) to 264 (172 fours, 92 sixes).
  
• England are also in front on head-to-head, winning 10 out of 15 games that have reached a result.
  
• Although they lost the last encounter, by two runs in Hamilton last year, New Zealand still progressed to the tri-series final against Australia on NRR thanks to another Munro assault.

Quotes

“It’s a different format. We’ve had a tour to Sri Lanka, so life goes on and you move on.”
“Twelve months is a long way down the road, we play a lot of T20 cricket between now and then, so I think being quite flexible and trying to build a 15- or 16-man squad is actually more important than the final XI.”

The franchise has also snapped up 18-year-old Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Oct-2018After making his debut in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) earlier this year, David Warner is set for a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) debut, having signed with Sylhet Sixers. The franchise also snapped up 18-year-old Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane, completing its quota of two direct overseas signings for the 2018-19 BPL.Sylhet also added wicketkeeper-batsman Liton Das to their roster from Comilla Victorians in addition to retaining batsmen Sabbir Rahman and Nasir Hossain and Pakistan left-arm quick Sohail Tanvir.Warner is currently into the seventh month of a one-year ban handed to him by Cricket Australia for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal. He was not allowed to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, but returned to competitive cricket with a stint with Winnipeg Hawks in the Global T20 Cananda in June and July this year. He subsequently signed with St Lucia Stars in the CPL, but his form wasn’t encouraging. After managing 109 runs in eight innings at a strike-rate of 114.73 in the GLT20, he scored 220 runs in nine innings at a strike-rate of 111.67 in the CPL and found particularly bizarre ways to get out.However, he did hit form, when he struck a 98-ball hundred in Sydney grade cricket against an attack that included Josh Hazlewood.The BPL is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2019, with the draft to be held on October 28 this year. This season, all franchises have been allowed to pick a maximum of two foreign players, who had not played in the 2017-18 BPL.

India captain Mithali Raj has expressed concerns about the lack of opening stands from her batsmen, after they went down against South Africa by 115 runs on Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jul-20172:12

There’s always pressure chasing 270 – Mithali Raj

A lack of strong opening partnerships for India in the Women’s World Cup has become a worrying sign for the team. Captain Mithali Raj said after their 115-run loss in Leicester on Saturday that a strong start is something the team had been looking forward to, especially while chasing 274 against South Africa, as it makes the task easier for the rest of the batting line-up.”Yes, it’s been happening since the West Indies game that the openers have not given us the start that we expect,” Raj said after the match. “The way they (the openers) opened the World Cup campaign for us against England, we were expecting maybe one or two off games but it can’t be four in a row. So that is a worrying factor because whether you bat first or chase, it’s important your top order gives you those runs on the board. I feel that when you are chasing 270 there’s always going to be pressure but you need the opening pair to give us a start so that the batters can take from thereon. Unfortunately, today we didn’t get that.”India’s openers Punam Raut and Smriti Mandhana scored 22 and 4 respectively as their partnership was broken in the second over of the chase when Marizanne Kapp had Mandhana caught at deep square leg. Since their dominating partnership of 144 in the first match against England, India’s openers have produced stands of 0 against West Indies, 7 against Pakistan and 21 against Sri Lanka.India’s task of chasing became tougher when South Africa racked up a challenging total of 273 on the back of a blistering 65-ball 92 from opener Lizelle Lee and a steady 57 from captain Dane van Niekerk. India’s decision to bowl was questioned as Lee started hammering sixes – seven in all – against spinners Ekta Bisht and Deepti Sharma who had troubled oppositions in the last few matches. Leicester, incidentally, is the same ground where England had amassed 377 and Australia had scored a stiff 290, both batting first against Pakistan. However, it is also where South Africa had bundled West Indies for only 48.”We did ask few people here at the ground and they told us that the team that bats second has more percentage wins,” Raj explained after the match. “And our matches with South Africa in the Qualifiers as well as in the Quadrangular Series, we probably have come close to 260, we lost one game though with 10 runs, that also was around 270 target. Considering these aspects, we chose to field first.”I’ve seen the way they have batted and even though they lost a wicket in the early overs, Lee has played exceptionally well for that innings and that is what put them on the track. We did realise that her wicket was important, but I give full credit to her batting because her shots were very clean and she did play one of the best innings I have seen so far in the World Cup against us. The bowlers have done a decent job of holding them in the middle overs, we managed to pull ourselves back into the game and maybe a few shots later in the innings got them to 270.”Dane van Niekerk on Lizelle Lee: “The shots she played was ridiculous and hopefully that form can continue for us”•ICC

Van Niekerk, who was named Player of the Match for her half-century and 4 for 22, dedicated her award to team-mate Lee while showering praises on her.”First of all, this goes to Lizelle Lee,” van Niekerk said. “I think she deserves it a lot more than I do. We said if we get more such trophies in the changing room, we have more better days than bad days. I think Lizelle Lee setup the game brilliantly well and I think she deserved a big hundred today. She’s been brilliant, she strikes the ball as clean as anyone in the world and she showed it today. She stuck to her guns and she found her groove and her rhythm and that’s the way she wants to bat and we back that all the way, it came off today. The shots she played was ridiculous and hopefully that form can continue for us.”Lee’s knock had powered South Africa past 125 in 20 overs before they stuttered a bit around the 150-mark. Van Niekerk’s fifty came in handy when she arrived at 160 for 4 in the 28th over and chaperoned the lower order to help them score 70 runs in the last 10 overs.”Yeah, personally [one of my better performances] I guess, especially against a team like India and the form they are in,” she said of her performance. “Coming into this game I thought they were the team to beat, and Australia, so it’s always great to contribute. I just thought of taking it deep, I know my game well enough to say that I can take it away at the back end, struggled a bit, but I stuck to my plans and today it came off.”While I was in there, we hit a bit of a slump and I said, ‘If we can get 250-plus, we have something to bowl at’. We know how good their batting is but if we stick to our lines and lengths…I spent a bit of time there so I kind of got a feel of where the good lines and lengths were and I said to the bowlers, ‘If we hit that consistently well, and we put them under pressure, hopefully it will go our way’.”The only criticism van Niekerk had for her team was for the bowlers, who dismissed India for 158 in 46 overs. She admitted she was being “harsh” on the bowlers, but only because they had taken seven Indian wickets within the first 20 overs, to set up a big win.”I will probably be a bit harsh on my bowlers but I thought we had to get them out a bit earlier, especially having them seven down for 65,” she said. “At the end of the day you don’t want it to go that long but the wicket died down so you can only do so much on a wicket like that.”We said we wanted all three facets of the game firing and we did that today, it wasn’t as clinical as I hoped it would be, but a win is a win. We came here for two points and we got it. Everyone chipped in and it was a brilliant team performance.”India, placed second with eight points, will face Australia and New Zealand in the remaining matches while South Africa, placed fourth with seven points, will take on Sri Lanka and Australia.

RCB are fresh off the biggest win in IPL history, and currently have the best net run rate (+0.627) in the tournament. But they need to win their remaining three games to confirm their place in the playoffs

The Preview by Akshay Gopalakrishnan15-May-2016

Match facts

Monday, May 16, 2016
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)2:50

Yusuf Pathan to haunt Royal Challengers Bangalore again?

Big Picture

With 1215 runs between them this season, including four centuries and eight half-centuries, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have been Royal Challengers Bangalore’s key men. They have complemented each other perfectly, keeping their side in the hunt for the playoffs. Royal Challengers are fresh off the biggest win in IPL history, and currently have the best net run rate (+0.627) in the tournament. But they need to win their remaining three games to make the playoffs. A defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday would push them to the brink, leaving their fate out of their hands.While the batting line-up has been in top form, there are still questions over Royal Challengers’ bowling attack. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, who have added five fifty-plus partnerships this season, would aim to exploit that. Knight Riders also have firepower in the form of Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell.But it is Knight Riders’ attack that gives them the edge. Russell and Morne Morkel have been hard to get away in the Powerplay. That Piyush Chawla and Sunil Narine found appreciable turn on Saturday would buoy Knight Riders further. Umesh Yadav’s injury, perhaps, is the only worry for them. Knight Riders may head into the game, having lost their second spot, but a victory will firm up their bid for a top-two finish, as the league hurtles to the climax.

Form guide

Kolkata Knight Riders WLWWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WLWWL

In the spotlight

Yusuf Pathan has floated in the batting line-up, but has consistently fired for his team. His last four innings read – 37*, 63*, 19* and 60*. Yusuf averages 132.5 and has struck at 165.62 this season. Knight Riders would breathe easy if Yusuf continues his strong form.With three centuries in IPL 2016, Virat Kohli has been unstoppable. That his last two tons have come in winning causes should please him. He had recently said that he relished the pressure of playing in knockout scenarios. Can the bowlers rally around him?

Team news

Having picked up a hamstring injury, Umesh missed Knight Riders’ rain-hit game against Rising Pune Supergiants on Saturday. If he takes more time to recover, Ankit Rajpoot, the fast bowler, is likely to get his second game of the season.Kolkata Knight Riders (probable): 1 Robin Uthappa (wk), 2 Gautam Gambhir (capt), 3 Manish Pandey, 4 Yusuf Pathan, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Suryakumar Yadav, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Sunil Narine, 10 Ankit Rajpoot, 11 Morne MorkelChris Gayle has eight successive single-digit scores since his 47-ball century against England at the World T20. Will Gayle be given a longer rope or will Travis Head earn a recall? If Head gets the nod, KL Rahul could move back to the top, where he has had success.Royal Challengers Bangalore (probable): 1 Chris Gayle/Travis Head/, 2 Virat Kohli (capt), 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Shane Watson, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Sachin Baby, 7 Stuart Binny, 8 Chris Jordan, 9 S Aravind, 10 Varun Aaron, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Pitch and conditions

Contrary to reputation, the Eden Gardens surface hasn’t offered much assistance for the spinners and has been good for batting. Rain played a part in the outcome on Saturday and could once again have a say in the result as thunderstorms have been forecast on Monday afternoon.

Stats and trivia

• Gambhir’s duck on Saturday against Supergiants was his 12th in all IPLs – the joint-highest for a player, along with Harbhajan Singh
• The 229-run partnership between Kohli and de Villiers against Gujarat Lions was their fourth century stand in IPL 2016 – the most by any pair in a season. Gambhir- Shikhar Dhawan (in 2008), and Gayle- Kohli (in 2012) had three