Bangalore, Sep 28: Beaten by Warriors in the opening match, Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a big setback ahead of their crucial Champions League encounter against Kolkata Knight riders here tomorrow with star wicketkeeper batsman A B de Villers ruled out of the T20 tournament because of a finger injury.
The South African broke his left middle finger during their practice on the eve of their second group B match against KKR and will be flying back home to undergo a surgery. In the absence of de Villiers, either Sri Lankan import Tillakaratne Dilshan or KB Arun Karthik is likely to don the gloves.
Both teams will be desperate for a victory as another defeat would severely dent their chances of a semi-final berth as only top-two teams in each Group would make the last-four stage.
The talent in RCB ranks can hardly be questioned but the results are yet to be seen. Their batsmen were diligent against Warriors, posting a challenging total but it was their bowlers, who failed to stem the run flow and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
All eyes will be on the marauding Chris Gayle, who can single-handedly take the game away on his day, as he did against KKR at the Eden during the last edition of Indian Premier League.
The hard-hitting Jamaican was not in his imperious and dominating self against Warriors. Gayle was off to a rollicking start, smashing 23 off 14 balls, adorned with two hits to the fence and two over it but could not sustain the tempo.
However, the injury-induced absence of de Villiers has come as a jolt for the home team. PTI
