Off
we go to South Africa!

The
‘Rainbow nation’ is the destination for CLT20 glory this year.  We have some really fond memories of the last
year’s  IPL outing in the magnificent
African settings.

The
year has changed and so have most of the opponents,  but, what’s not changed is RCB’s hunger to
steam roll its opponents on the way to the ultimate glory. That’s something we
missed by a hit, yes, just a single hit when you think about the difference
that prevented us from lifting the trophy last time.

Therefore,  it can’t be just a mere coincidence that we
are talking so much about Durban. No Sir, it just can’t be J.

There
are cricket grounds, magnificent and intimidating. Newlands might have the
table top shaped mountains to form its backdrop, but, Durban and Kingsmead have
its own charm.

It’s
not just for three lucky people, who go flying to SA to watch RCB beat the hell
out of a Mumbai Indian side, that Durban holds special meaning.

I
would say, our chances in CLT20, especially the route to the SF depends on
Durban.

The
good thing is, it just can’t get better than that for us.

Because

RCB’s
track record at Kingsmead makes us overwhelmingly favorite to have the
advantage. It’s true that in a T20 game, the day’s performance counts only and
past records/reputations are not a decisive factor. However, these things do
give an advantage to RCB. We have exploited the conditions very well in the
past and we have a bowling attack capable of doing so again.

Let’s
see what Kingsmead’s playing conditions are going to be like..

It
has always carried the reputation of being a fast bowler’s pitch and has long
been the fastest strip in the continent of Africa.RCB plays there on the 17th and 19th and the temperature is expected to be between a cool 17 degree Celsius to a max of 22 degrees. It's going to be cool, windy and bouncy.

The
ground also carries an scientifically unproven reputation of being affected by
the tides in the sea next door.  It has
often been speculated that sides suffer batting collapse with tidal changes. In
such situations, RCB has a very lethal bowling attack. Steyn can rip them apart
with his 150 kmph missiles, whereas, Praveen’s swingers can always make the
batsmen feel that the cherry was no longer there where they expected it to be.

To
comment on what Anil can do on this pitch, would be a tad too unnecessary.

In
batting also we stand on firm footing as we have the batsmen, who have the
talent and technique required to win games on a surface like this.It's watch out time for the Redbacks and the Mumbai Indians!

I am
leaving you guys with a couple of pictures of this magnificent cricket ground
and this is the beginning of my CLT20 blogs..Hakoona Matata RCB!

(This is the picture of Durban cricket ground in 1923, when it was newly constructed)

(Sahara Kingsmead Stadium, Durban - the present day stadium).

Love
you all…

(Pictures  downloaded from internet for reference)