This is a different Bangalore Royal Challengers squad: Kumble

Zeecric Bureau

Cape Town, April 20: The star performer for Royal Challengers Bangalore for their IPL 2 opener, Anil Kumble, said that this year’s team is unique and different from last year’s and they are well geared up to win the IPL trophy in South Africa; proof being the spectacular victory against the defending champions Rajasthan Royals on the first day.

“Let me make it clear that this is a different group and we have set out to achieve something and I daresay the result of our opening match is ample evidence of my claim,” Kumble wrote in his column for an Indian daily.

The Vijay Mallya owned team routed Rajasthan Royals on the first day of the IPL season 2 after bowling the latter out in jut 58 runs. Kumble had an astounding innings when he picked 5 wickets for just 5 runs, also including a maiden over in his kitty.

“I am coming off a long break and may have retired but the moment I am back on the cricket field, ball in hand, the feeling is the same as always. And in any format, a five-wicket haul sure makes one feel one is in the thick of things.”

The leg-spinner said that last year, the team was devoid of a few crucial elements but this time, the “intense” and “spot on” preparations in South Africa has been of extreme help to recover those.

“I would be the first to admit that a few things were missing last year. But this time our preparation hasn’t just been intense but also spot on. Spending nearly two weeks in Johannesburg and playing as many as five practice matches - two against the local Lions and three among ourselves - gave us a good feel of the local conditions.”

Bangalore made significant changes in its squad this year, the major one being Rahul Dravid removed from captaincy and Kevin Pietersen, the latest and the most expensive addition to the team, being given the throne. Mallya bought Pietersen at a sky-high price of 1.55 million Dollars, making the former England skipper the most expensive player in IPL, along with Andrew Flintoff, who was bought by Chennai Super Kings.

Another new entrant in the Bangalore squad is Jesse Ryder. However, it was Dravid, who played the most crucial role in Bangalore`s victory, scoring 66 of 48 balls in testing conditions.

“The Twenty20 game may not be for the oldies but as Sachin and Rahul also showed, we can have our days too,” Kumble wrote. “Individually too, Rahul had a point or two to prove. On pitches with bounce and movement, it is technique not flashiness that helps. Believe me, if not for Rahul`s technique, the Rajasthan bowlers would have looked far more effective than they did.”

“I am also glad to see Rahul among the runs because that means that if any two other batsmen among the likes of Jesse, Ross [Taylor], Kevin and Robin [Uthappa] click, we are looking at setting a serious target. And with our fast bowling looking twice as good while bowling in South Africa, as compared to India, we are on our way.”

Bangalore`s second game is against Chennai Super Kings in Port Elizabeth on Monday.