With the batsmen letting the team down once again, RCB coach Vettori has
24k and counting
Steve Smith and MS Dhoni are laregly struggling to middle the ball. Nonetheless, there was an exception as Dhoni hit Yuzvendra Chahal for a massive six, one that straight went and landed on the roof of M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He then took a single to bring up his 24,000th run (in First-Class, List A and T20s). Steve Smith, on the other hand, is failing to judge the line well.
Run like Dhoni
There aren't too many faster runners in world cricket that Steve Smith. But MS Dhoni surely is. Form has evaded him, he isn't getting young, but he can surely run fast between the wickets, as fast as anyone in world cricket It hasn't been the best of seasons for MS Dhoni the batsman. Coming out to bat at No 4, he is slowly rebuilding Pune's innings alongwith skipper Steve Smith. Together they have taken the score past 100, and not surprisingly, they have done it with some fine running between the wickets.
Double strike
After a superb start to the innings, Rising Pune Supergiant openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Tripathi departed in quick succession. While Rahane was bowled by Samuel Badree, Virat Kohli took a superb catch to dismiss Tripaathi. The batsman was left stunned by the effort of the RCB skipper. Two new batsmen at the crease, but the best in their squad - MS Dhoni and Steve Smith to carry forward RPS's charge.
Reader's corner
Our reader Suraj Gupta says, "Clearly, R Tripathi is eager to make his mark. The type of shots he played unveils it all. I reckon, due to the star batsmen in the RCB side, their bowlers get overshadowed.
"Whatever changes RCB have made to strengthen their bowling, fans love RCB chasing mountainous target, just to see the stars (batsmen) shining."
And they get going
After a cautious start, Rahul Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane have started going after the bowlers. 19th run of the third over and 13 off the fourth. They have amassed 41 runs off the first four overs, something that they have not been used to this season. This has been Rising Pune Supergiant's best opening stand of the season.
Game on
Rahul Tripathi and Ajinkya Rahane have come out to open the innings for Rising Pune Supergiant. Adam Milne has taken the new ball for Royal Challengers Bangalore, with Samuel Badree operating from the other end.
Playing XI
Rising Pune Supergiant (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Tripathi, Steven Smith (c), Ben Stokes, Manoj Tiwary, MS Dhoni (wk), Daniel Christian, Rahul Chahar, Imran Tahir, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli (c), Mandeep Singh, AB de Villiers, Kedar Jadhav (wk), Shane Watson, Stuart Binny, Pawan Negi, Samuel Badree, Adam Milne, Sreenath Aravind, Yuzvendra Chahal
Toss
Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, won the toss and elected to field. Adam Milne and Shane Watson have come into the side for Tymal Mills and Chris Gayle. Rising Pune Supergiant have also come in with two changes. Dan Christian and Jaydev Unadkat replace Lockie Ferguson and Ankit Sharma.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium track hasn't played out as well for the batsmen as it used to in the last few seasons. The ball has stopped at times, been two paced and difficult to put away with as much ease.
On the points table
Here's how the teams stand after 10 days into the season: IPL 2017 Points Table
Build Up
So it's Virat Kohli against Steve Smith leading the two sides respectively. The venue is Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium. You wouldn't have to jog your memory back too far as to what happened. But then, well, it's a different format, a new day and a new tournament.
Hello and welcome to Match 17 of the Indian Premier League 2017. Royal Challengers Bangalore are set to take on Rising Pune Supergiant. Both teams are tottering in the bottom half of the points table with only a solitary win to their credit.
A bit of rain is expected, but it shouldn't trouble the match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium much. Both teams are in desperate need of a win to get their campaign on track..
Who do you think will win the contest. Tweet to us. For more questions, you can be in touch with our reporter Ramakrishnan
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