RCB are strong contenders for the title: Sourav Ganguly

Cricket lovers the world over, especially those favouring the shortest version, will be looking forward to loads of excitement and fireworks in the Champions League Twenty20.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have made it to the Champions League Twenty20 for the second year in succession and their consistency needs to be lauded. It is very difficult to pick a favourite in this format of the game, but with the kind of balance the Royals have, I would like to bet my money on them and name them as strong contenders for the title.

It was in South Africa that one saw the rise of the Bangalore outfit. They were down in the dumps in the first leg of the second IPL. But from the second leg, with a change in leadership, one saw the change in fortunes. The biggest advantage that Anil [Kumble] and his boys are going to enjoy will be mental. It was in South Africa that they did a turn-around, reached the finals after languishing at the bottom of the table early on. So the unit will have the feeling of not doing much wrong in South Africa.

The South African conditions are well known to Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn, who are key members of the side. For them it is very much like playing at home. While the other teams will need time to settle down on the fresh South African wickets at the start of the season, Royals will have players who are already accustomed. They will have the experience of Rahul Dravid in the middle order, somebody who is equipped for tough overseas conditions, not to forget the big-hitting of Robin Utthappa. But the most important man for the Royals in the middle will be Ross Taylor who played some outstanding knocks for them in South Africa last time. He will enjoy the conditions as the wickets will have bounce to suit his stroke-play.

The bowling attack of the Royals looks very potent in terms of the South African conditions. Dale Steyn will be the spearhead and facing the world’s fastest bowler on helpful tracks will be a challenge that others will have to live up to. It will be a big opportunity for young Vinay Kumar to prove his mettle on helpful foreign conditions and catch the attention of the selectors.

Anil Kumble will also have a big role to play and I have a feeling that he will be someone to look out for on those bouncy South African tracks. The Challengers should be up for the big challenge.

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