Teams search for first victory

Match facts

Big Picture

This is a match-up between two teams who haven't been quick off the blocks. Kings XI Punjab's trio of big-name batsmen - Yuvraj Singh, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene - flopped against a strong Delhi Daredevils, and Royal Challengers Bangalore went down without much of a fight at a festive Eden Gardens.

One thing Bangalore need is someone to fill in the role Ross Taylor did: an explosive batsman who can clear the boundary at will. Eoin Morgan, with his wide repertoire of strokes, could be the one on whom the burden of getting the quick runs falls. Another worry for them is the continued ineffectiveness of Dale Steyn, perhaps the world's best Test bowler, in the Twenty20 format. While the batsmen didn't do their job against Kolkata, the ease with which Manoj Tiwary and Brad Hodge dismantled the bowling should concern Anil Kumble.

Punjab fans looking for a bright spot in their defeat against Delhi will be happy with the new-ball bowling, particularly Sreesanth who nipped out the dangerous pair of Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan early. Also encouraging is the trouble-free return from injury of key allrounder Irfan Pathan.

Team talk

Bangalore's ploy of opening with Sreevats Goswami didn't work, and he had a horror time behind the stumps, which could result in Mark Boucher being picked. If they make that change, Steyn could be the one to sit out, with one of Vinay Kumar or Abhimanyu Mithun included instead.

With Piyush Chawla being Punjab's first-choice spinner and Yuvraj likely to chip in with his left-armers, Ramesh Powar's place could come under the scanner. Mohammad Kaif also had a poor game, and Punjab might look to replace him as well.

Head to head

In the spotlight

Yuvraj Singh's first innings in more than six weeks included the strange sight (for a Twenty20 match) of a batsman leaving three deliveries in a row. He lasted only two more balls before holing out to mid-on. A side that is light on Indian batting talent needs him to fire to reduce the load on the overseas batsmen in the side.

Bangalore's young batsmen Much faith has been placed on the likes of Manish Pandey and Virat Kohli, but their failure on Sunday cost Bangalore. They need to step up their game if Bangalore are to put up a better show at the Chinnaswamy.

Prime Numbers

• Irfan is the second highest wicket-taker in the IPL, with 33 scalps.
• Piyush Chalwa has the unwanted record of having made the most ducks in the IPL - five.

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