RCB eyes home advantage to win over Daredevils

Embattled hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are betting on home advantage for its first win in the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL-10-T20) over Delhi Daredevils (DD) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.

"We have been training to get our acts together in all the three facets of the game. We have to be more clinical in batting, bowling and fielding to finish on a winning note this time," RCB pacer Tymal Mills told reporters on Friday ahead of the tie.

The injury-hit home team lost its first game in this series by 35 runs to 2016 IPL-9 Champions Sun Risers Hyderabad (SRH) on Wednesday in Hyderabad.

SRH also beat RCB by 8 runs in the IPL-9 Final in this tech hub on May 29, 2016.

Admitting that the team was inconsistent in the game against SRH, especially in bowling (giving away too many runs) and fielding (dropping catches), the English left-arm fast bowler said the players had moved on and were looking for an exciting game against DD on Saturday.

"We are not too worried about the loss in the first game. We are focused on the next game against Delhi. The T20 format gives us opportunity to bounce back and go all out for a win on the home turf with the support of fans," said Mills.

The 2016 runners-up (RCB) bought the 24-year-old T20 specialist fast bowler for Rs 12 crore while Rising Pune Supergaints snapped up his compatriot and all-rounder Ben Stokes for a record Rs 14.5 crore in the IPL auction on February 20 here.

"It was an honour and privilege to have bowled the first ball of this season's IPL. The crowds, the atmosphere and the buzz from the stands were exciting. I also enjoyed playing in T20 series for England against India in January at Nagpur," recalled Mills.

On the prospects of dangerous batter AB de Villiers in the team, Mills said the medical team would decide if he (AB) had recovered from back pain and fit to play.

"I don't know about AB's condition. If fit, he will lead the team as (skipper). Virat (Kohli) is still nursing (shoulder) injury. The management will decide the team after AB's fitness report, inspecting the ground and the weather," said Mills.

Veteran Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson led RCB against SRH in the absence of Kohli and stand-in captain AB, as they both were in the injury list.

--IANS

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