IPL 2013 preview: Bowler’s nightmare as quickest centurions face off

Bangalore's IPL fans will squeeze themselves into the Chinnaswamy Stadium after a 21-day gap.

When Bangalore’s IPL fans squeeze themselves into the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday,they will be doing so after a 21-day gap. The last time Royal Challengers Bangalore played a home game,Chris Gayle scored if such a mild verb can describe what he did an unbeaten 66-ball 175 against Pune Warriors.

Since then,Bangalore have played six matches,all away from home. Out of those six,they won only two against Pune Warriors and Delhi Daredevils,the two teams at the bottom of the table. And since that game,the team from Bangalore have slipped from the top of the table to fourth,at the messy end of the playoff race.

slipping away

One reason for Bangalores slide is that Gayle,on that run of away games,went a little quiet. His six innings since the 175* have brought him only one half-century. The contrast between Gayles fortunes at the Chinnaswamy and away from it,in fact,has been stark.

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In six home games this season,Gayle has made 427 runs in six innings at an average of 142.33 and a strike rate of 176.45. Away from home,hes scored 176 in eight innings at 25.14,with a strike rate of 121.38. Gayles method stand still,keep out the good balls,launch everything else into the stands is built for the track at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore,with its even pace,true bounce and utter lack of sideways movement. Elsewhere,its proven less successful. Bangalore will be very happy that they will play their last two league games at home.

Among all batsmen who have faced more than 50 balls this season,Gayles overall strike rate of 155.81 is the fifth-highest. Top of the pile is David Miller,who plays for Bangalores Tuesday opponents,Kings XI Punjab,with a strike rate of 165.61.

blast from the past

The last time Bangalore met Punjab,at Mohali,Gayle made a 33-ball 61. This would have been a matchwinning knock were it not for Millers riposte,a 38-ball 101,this seasons second-innings equivalent of Gayles 175*.

Since that game,Punjab have played two matches,and lost both. In those two matches,Miller made 8 and 6. Both Gayle and Miller,therefore,are due for runs. On Tuesday,the two left-handers will get to bat on the friendliest batting track in the IPL. Going into the match,neither of the two bowling attacks will be looking forward to the task before them.

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