Poor batting hands RCB another defeat:

161/4 in 20 overs on a flat track- can you believe that? But it is true. Kallis' crawler-knock of 52 from 49 balls followed by unexpectedly slow batting from White and Pietersen lost the match for RCB. Adding more to the list, 16th over from Jakati went without a run (thanks to Kallis and Pietersen). From over no. 15 to 18, RCB managed to score only 17 runs and that turned out to be the lethal blow.

Scorecard:
RCB: 161/4
CSK: 166/5

RCB will have to rethink about their batting order. Manish Pandey is not giving the expected start. RCB is not using the powerplay to it's best, scoring only at the runrate of 6-7 RPO. Kallis is doing his job perfectly by staying at the crease till the end, but he should make sure that the batsman at the other end doesn't come under pressure because of slow runrate. Uthappa is going great guns and he deserves the position up the order.

For me, I would prefer this lineup:
1. Kallis
2. Pandey
3. Uthappa(/Dravid- if Kallis gets out early)
4. Dravid
5. Kohli
6. Pietersen/White/Morgan (because he is a good fielder)
7. Boucher
8. Merwe (he deserves a chance considering his contribution in IPL 2)
9. Kumble
10. P. Kumar
11. V. Kumar

DD stun RCB

Well, the old strategy didn't work today. Kallis started quite slowly and threw his wicket when time demanded his stay. The pitch was good for batting, but the credit goes to DD bowlers who ensured that the strong batting lineup of RCB don't go on chasing the target with ease.

Scorecard:
DD: 183/4
RCB: 166/9

Next game is against CSK on 31st.

Rahul Dravid's interview after the win against MI

RCB crush CSK

Splendid performance from Uthappa and all the bowlers saw RCB crushing the Chennai Super Kings by 36 runs. After a slow start, the last 2 overs went for 41 runs and it was all because of one young man- Robin Uthappa. All his hits were clean and safe (surprised??). Given the fact that the wicket had good bounce and swing in it, Uthappa's 68 off 38 balls is worth appreciation.
Chasing 172, CSK were completely dumped by Praveen Kumar, Steyn and Kumble. Hayden was quite calm at the start but he started firing once Kallis was brought into the attack. Rahul Dravid's direct hit saw Hayden returning to pavillion and RCB were on the top. Save Badrinath, noone else was able to threaten team RCB.Vinay Kumar went for 10 runs/over, but succeeded in taking 4 wickets.
Currently, RCB is topping the table with 8 points and NRR of +1.331.

Excellent catch by Rahul Dravid

Kallis on fire: RCB win 3rd in a row!

He has done it again. Jacques Kallis looks like a teenager now. 4 innings without losing his wicket and that too in a T20 game isn't very common.
Of course, 70% credit goes to the bowlers who managed to restrict MI to 151. Vinay Kumar's over (no.11) turned out to be fatal for MI. He grabbed the wickets of Raydu, Sachin and Bravo in the same over.

Scorecard:
MI: 151/9
RCB: 155/3 (19.1 overs) Kallis 66* (from 55 balls)

RCB will be taking on the in-from Chennai Super Kings on23rd March.

2nd consecutive win for RCB

Scorecard:
RR: 92 all out (Praveen Kumar took a hattrick)
RCB: 93/0 (10.5 overs)
MOM: Jacques Kallis

Next game is against the strong side - Mumbai Indians. The bowling is the key for RCB because if MI manage to go past 150, the game will be alomst over (considering the fact that MI has superb bowling attack- Malinga, Zaheer and Harbhajan).

Crucial win for RCB

Superb batting from Robin Uthappa (51 from 21) and Jacques Kallis (89 from 55) sealed an unbelievable win for RCB against Punjab. Credit goes to Kallis for playing a mature innings while chasing down a big total of 204. He was calm in the initial overs, but then he switched the gears and took RCB to a comfortable win. Robin Uthappa came after the wicket of Manish Pandey and played a brilliant blitz-krieg knock of 51 (off 21 balls).

Scorecard:
KXIP: 203/3 (Bopara 77, Bisla 75)
RCB: 204/2 (Kallis 89*, Uthappa 51)

Next game for RCB is against Rajasthan Royals on 18th March.

KKR crush RCB

The top order failed again for RCB and the match was over. Not a single batsman looked confident and RCB kept on losing wickets at crucial times. Scoring 135 in T20 game and that too on Indian wickets (pitch was a bit tricky this time) means you are out of the game.
Anyways, RCB will be taking on Punjab on 16th March. The playing 11 looks quite good on paper.

Scorecard:
RCB: 135/7
KKR: 136/3 (19.2 overs)

Good luck!

RCB squad for 1st match

Here is what I think should make an ideal 11 for RCB:

1. Robin Uthappa
2. Jacques Kallis
3. Rahul Dravid
4. Virat Kohli
5. Manish Pandey / any good hitter
6. Cameron White / Eoin Morgan
7. Mark Boucher
8. Van der Merwe
9. Anil Kumble*
10. Praveen Kumar
11. Vinay Kumar / Abhimanyu Mithun

I personally think that Anil Kumble should lead the squad (there should not be any pressure on Rahul Dravid). The batting order totally depends upon the situation. If RCB lose early wickets, Rahul Dravid should come up the order. If the situation is like 70/2 or better under 10 overs, White/Merwe/Pandey should be promoted up the order.

I would like to know what you think should be the squad for 1st match.