Match 25: Kings XI v RCB, 20 April

Scoreboard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548331.html

Result: RCB Won

Favorite team: RCB with 55p

Pre-match review:

The sea has been parted and IPL is split wide open now. This match will play tricks with the team which has just gained confidence by that last-ball Six flown off Tiwary's bat and the one which has broken the 2-match winning streak so pitiably it's better for them not to think back about it anymore. Both are placed in bottom 3 and have a chance to equal number of wins with those of losses with this fixture.

The big news is coming. A Gilchrist won't be playing in this match due to hamstring tear. D Hussey will be leading Kings XI in the presence of Azhar Mehmood, most probably. This could prove the blessing in disguise as Kings XI will be adding an all-rounder in the expense of aging and out-of-form skipper to their squad. On the other hand, Challengers can not get away with all the tactical errors they are prone to make by showing last match innings as their sole firecracking achievement in the recent times. One rule is straight for them. Whenever Gayle and ABD perform, they win. And when they don't perform or play, Murali has to play and do some magic for them. On the bowling front, both the teams are so similar one can not rate one team over another as far as IPL format is considered.

I am expecting some fightback from Kings XI for out-and-out entertainment value it will offer. But I'll still go with Challengers to grab another victory and get placed besides other survivors like MI, PWI, KKR and CSK in the fray.

Final word from editor: ...But I'll still go with Challengers to grab another victory and get placed besides other survivors like MI, PWI, KKR and CSK in the fray.