Bangalore Royal Challengers
DLF-IPL1 was all about this team being called a Test line-up. The world’s best batsmen albeit in the longer format got as one to shape the core. But sorry to say the team crashed out resulting in a few heads rolling. A new brand new back-up team coupled with a new administration. Will the arrival of KP, Ryder and Robin Uthappa help Bangalore Royal Challengers, turn a new page? Will the Bangalore Royal Challengers experience a image makeover? Answers just days away…

Latest acquisition: England’s most colorful cricketer, Kevin Pietersen, was always going to be the star attraction at DLF-IPL2. So even if it meant pitching in the uppermost bid, Vijay Mallya was ready for it. So in came KP as also a new rising star from New Zealand, Jesse Ryder.

What you need to know about Bangalore: Bangalore’s most priced wealth are its gardens. The former princely state of Mysore is the pride of the state, but it provides the old royal touch to the state of Karnataka and in particular to Bangalore. Bangalore has produced some of the greatest Indian cricketers like GR Viswanath, BS Chandrashekar, EAS Prasanna, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath and Rahul Dravid.

Fitness barometer: With the blend of the likes of KP, Ryder and even Robin Uthappa the fitness levels are bound to shoot up. Coach Ray Jennings is known to be a hard taskmaster when it comes to fitness, so expect some tough talking from the former wicket-keeper.

STRENGTHS: No-nonsense coach Ray Jennings is great at puncturing egos of senior players. Explosive players like Jesse Ryder, Kevin Pietersen and Robin Uthappa ensure this is not a Test team like last year.

WEAKNESSES: Very few Indian players who can excel at T20, barring Uthappa and Virat Kohli. Dravid, Jaffer, B Akhil, J Arunkumar and Sunil Joshi won’t give sleepless nights to many bowling attacks.

OPPORTUNITIES: To forget their 7th place finish last year and push for at least a spot in the semis. With five South Africans in their line up, the team will benefit from the new venue. Coach Jennings is also South African, a huge bonus.

THREATS: With captain Kevin Pietersen set to leave for national duty, captaincy will be in the hands of Jacques Kallis, not a natural leader. It doesn’t help that Kallis and Mark Boucher have had a turbulent relationship with Jennings when he was interim coach of the SA team in 2004.

Owner: Vijay Mallya (liquor and airline baron)

Coach: Ray Jennings (RSA)
Captain: Kevin Pietersen (ENG
Team: Kevin Pietersen (ENG), Cameron White (AUS), Dale Steyn (RSA), Dillon du Preez (RSA), Jacques Kallis (RSA), Jesse Ryder (NZL), Mark Boucher (RSA), Nathan Bracken (AUS), Roelof van der Merwe (RSA), Ross Taylor (NZL), Anil Kumble, Praveen Kumar, Rahul Dravid, Robin Uthappa, Virat Kohli, Wasim Jaffer.

MATCHES

Wed 22
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST
8th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Deccan Chargers
Newlands, Cape Town

Fri 24
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST 11th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kings XI Punjab
Kingsmead, Durban

Sun 26
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST 14th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Delhi Daredevils
St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Wed 29
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST 19th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kolkata Knight Riders
Kingsmead, Durban

Fri 1
16:45 local, 14:45 GMT, 20:15 IST 24th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kings XI Punjab
Kingsmead, Durban

Sun 3
16:45 local, 14:45 GMT, 20:15 IST 28th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Mumbai Indians
New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Thu 7
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST 33rd match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Rajasthan Royals
SuperSport Park, Centurion

Sun 10
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST 38th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Mumbai Indians
St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Tue 12
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST 41st match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Kolkata Knight Riders
SuperSport Park, Centurion

Thu 14
12:30 local, 10:30 GMT, 16:00 IST 44th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Chennai Super Kings
Kingsmead, Durban

Tue 19
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST 52nd match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Delhi Daredevils
New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Thu 21
16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST 56th match - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Deccan Chargers
SuperSport Park, Centurion