Royal Challengers Bangalore host 2008 champions Rajasthan Royals in the second Indian Premier League (IPL) game of the day, looking to maintain their charge for a top four finish and qualification to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Chris Gayle
IPLt20.com

Where to Watch Live

Play starts at 3.30pm BST. Live coverage is on ITV 4 and ITV 4 HD. Follow the match live, via text updates, on ESPN Cricinfo.

Overview

Bangalore needed a Super Over to beat Delhi Daredevils in their last game and will hope to give their home fans a less nerve-wracking win in this fixture. The Challengers are third in the IPL table, with eight points and four wins from six games. They could start this match in fourth though, depending on the result of Chennai Super Kings' game at Kolkata Knight Riders.

The Daredevils posted 152/5 from their 20 overs, with contributions from Virender Sehwag, Mahela Jayawardene and Kedhar Jadhav. For the Challengers, Jaydev Unadkat continued his fine form with the ball, picking up 2/24.

The target should have been easily dealt with by Bangalore, given the presence of West Indian batsman Chris Gayle and his fearsome big hits. However, South African pacer Morne Morkel struck early to remove the Bangalore star and it was left to captain Virat Kohli and Morkel's compatriot, AB de Villiers, to steady the ship. Their 103-run third wicket partnership should have been enough to seal a win in normal time but a raft of dismissals, with less than 30 runs to get, meant Bangalore needed the Super Over to clinch the win.

Meanwhile, the champions of the inaugural edition of the IPL continue to impress. The Royals are second in the table - tied on points with Bangalore but with a much healthier Net Run Rate. More importantly, they have a game in hand over today's opponents and a win here will substantially increase their chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages.

Rajasthan beat Mumbai Indians by 87 runs in their last game, in a result that must be classified as an upset. Young India international Ajinkya Rahane led the way against Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar in that game, with a 54-ball 68. Thunderous innings from Dishant Yagnik and Brad Hodge ensured a very strong 179/3 total.

And an impossibly tidy bowling performance from all of the Royals' bowlers meant Mumbai were left chasing shadows; Dinesh Karthik top-scored with 30 and Ambati Raydu (27) and Mitchell Johnson (11) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.

Rahul Dravid
IPLt20.com

Team Form

Royal Challengers Bangalore

    • Last Five (most recent first): W L W W L
    • Last Result: Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Delhi Daredevils via Super Over

Rajasthan Royals

    • Last Five (most recent first): W W L W W
    • Lst Result: Rajasthan Royals beat Mumbai Indians by 87 runs

Team News

Andrew McDonald is likely to retain his place for Bangalore, despite a poor showing against Delhi. Mayank Agarwal and spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan are unlikely to feature due to injuries. West Indian pacer Ravi Rampaul has cemented his place after two brilliant performances in recent games.

Rahane, former Indian Test batsman Rahul Dravid and Australian Shane Watson will lead the Royals' top order, with West Indian Kevon Cooper and Brad Hodge also likely to feature. James Faulkner will be the fourth foreign player in the squad. Indian youngster Siddharth Trivedi will retain his place after his impressive performance against Ponting's men.

India