Royal Challengers vs Kings XI Punjab: Bangalore: Preview

RC Editor

Team Royal Challengers coach Ray Jennings is known for his straight talks. Unable to hit the practice nets on Monday as Kings XI Punjab used the facilities at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Coach Jennings, though upset, took it in his stride. Easy going, one might say, but there is a deeper thinking beyond the obvious drudgeries of a gruelling schedule in the IPL, including the travelling, the logistics, the media protocols – how to get back to winning ways.
Royal Challengers vs Kings XI Punjab: Bangalore: Preview

RC Editor

Team Royal Challengers coach Ray Jennings is known for his straight talks. Unable to hit the practice nets on Monday as Kings XI Punjab used the facilities at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Coach Jennings, though upset, took it in his stride. Easy going, one might say, but there is a deeper thinking beyond the obvious drudgeries of a gruelling schedule in the IPL, including the travelling, the logistics, the media protocols – how to get back to winning ways.

Simplifying 20-20 cricket, Jennings opined, “The game is about three phases, the front six overs, the middle eight and the back six. Winning or losing can matter in the front or in the back six. So the whole thing is to package the three phases together with batting and bowling and of course fielding.” Is there pressure on the team? “Off course there is. Three of last year’s semi-finalists have lost their first matches in this year’s IPL. Pressure is on everybody, even on the sides who have won two out of two, so nothing changes. We are used to handling pressures. Last year we lost four matches on the trot and still bounced back. So we have lived this life before,” Jennings sounded positive.

There’s reason for this energy. The team is playing at home! “I am looking forward to being infront of the home crowd. I like the Bangalore people to be behind us. I would like to make sure that our performance at home is good and hopefully the players will play to their full potential tomorrow,” Jennings sounded positive.

Team RC’s game against Kolkata left much to be desired. But Jennings has complete faith on the seniors in the team to take up the challenge head on. “Dravid, Kumble knows the Indian conditions and wickets better than anybody else. Boucher, Kallis are all experienced players. The tactics is to adapt to Indian conditions.” But Jennings is also aware that in 20-20 cricket, anything is possible, “One can make good decisions and still lose at the end.”

Despite the loss in the first game, Jennings is positive the younger brigade is the team will fire all cylinders. “I am very hopeful on the younger players to win games for the team. I am gunning for Manish, Virat, Robin to fire.” However, the coach reiterated that the team combination is totally flexible and open right now. “We will look at the wicket and then take a final call whether we go with two spinners or three seamers, whether we go with an international spinner or an international fast bowler. So there’s quite a lot of permutations possible.” That underlined his intentions, also who’s the boss!

Kings XI Punjab skipper Kumara Sangakkara also exuded confidence on his team’s performance. “We go in with seven batsmen and ideally everyone should contribute and if the key batsmen can score, it will surely help the team,” Sanga quipped.