Chennai: Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori on Thursday said that his side would be looking for an improved bowling show against Mumbai Indians in their IPL play-off on Friday in their bid for a second final appearance in the tournament.
 RCB skipper Daniel Vettori denied that Zaheer Khan, the team's pace spearhead, has not been at his peak form, saying the left-arm seamer has been taking wickets in the early overs, especially in their last two matches. © AFP |
"Team is in pretty good stead. We realised small things that went wrong in last five overs. Prior to that, everything went as per plans. We are looking at the game tomorrow (Friday). We probably go with same team with slight improvement in bowling," Vettori said at the match-eve press conference.
"We have delivered and our batting has been pretty good in the whole tournament and sooner or later we will do with bowling also," he said.
Asked about the team composition for tomorrow's (Friday's) match against Mumbai, Vettori said, "I think I will go with the same team tomorrow. Chris (Gayle) and myself could target well in the eight overs that we will be bowling and it is hard to put too many runs. The players who have played in the last 15 games for us have performed well and probably I am to look at that.
"We have to look at the wicket tomorrow. I played here quite some time back. The groundsman is saying that the wicket will be good to play on tomorrow (Friday). Probably the wicket for the final will turn a lot more I do not know," he said.
Vettori denied pacer Zaheer Khan has not been at his lethal best, saying that the Indian strike bowler has been the key player for his side.
"In the last two games Zaheer has been at his best and has been taking wickets upfront. I am really pleased with the way he has bowled," said the New Zealander.
On Gayle getting out cheaply in the last game, Vettori said, "Chris did not score runs but we were able to put up a competing total. There are no worries in our camp on these aspects. Chris has been the main scorer for us this season, winning so many games. We are confident we can wins games.
"Virat Kohli played a superb game (against Chennai) and has played well in whole tournament and continued to maintain his good form. Last match was his best innings so far."
RCB have already qualified for the Champions League Twenty20 later this year but Vettori said winning the IPL title is more important.
"Winning the IPL title is more important to us. Tomorrow (Friday) is an important game. I think qualifying for Champions league is nice but the next two matches here are important for us as far as players point of view and the owners will be happy too," he said.
Vettori felt the spinners have found out a "smart" way to contain the batsmen in the IPL.
"To me, the spinners know that the batsmen are going to attack you and you are prepared for that. There are lot of differences to Test matches and one-dayers and you got to be ready for different things.
"In Twenty20, batsmen are aggressive and you tailor your bowling to that. I think that is what lot of spinners have done. They have been smart in the way they bowled and found a way to stop them," he said.
Vettori refused to be drawn into the Gautam Gambhir injury controversy, saying it was an "individual situation".
"I think it is individual situations. I do not think we can jump to too many conclusions," said Vettori.
"I don't think our players feel tired. I do not think there will be any such issues. We are ready to give our best at all times."
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