5 Players to watch out for in the IPL 9 Qualifier 1

The IPL 9 has seen its fair share of players in the past. This season, however, has seen a new level of performance being set by many players, something that has accounted for a bigger and better IPL in its ninth and current edition. Most of the top performers as well documented come from either the Gujarat Lions or the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Ironically, these two teams are yet to clinch an IPL title. Moreover, they also occupy the first two spots on the table despite the different paths to success they have taken. While Suresh Raina and his men have impressed for the most part this season, the Royal Challengers led by the scintillating Virat Kohli are currently experiencing a late surge in their bid for the title. The well-oiled unit of the Gujarat Lions has seen them become a force, not many expected them to become despite a few patches of losses to their name. In the case of RCB, Virat Kohli’s men had their backs to the wall. However, some unbelievable performances coupled with the luck they so richly deserved has seen them ascend to the second spot. Also read – IPL 9, Qualifier 1 Preview: Challengers face Lions with home advantage These two sides will meet at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium to decide who goes to the final in what is expected to be a mouthwatering encounter despite the home advantage of the Challengers. That said, here are five players to watch out for as they take on each other head-on. 1. Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli RCB. (Photo Source: BCCI) The way Virat Kohli has played this season has simply defied everything we know about cricket. First, there was Don Bradman, then Sachin Tendulkar. Now there is Virat Kohli. His words express the humility that makes everyone love and attempts to emulate him. He looks invincible each time he goes out to bat with the crowd expecting him to perform each time he makes his way out to the middle. A half-century against the Delhi Daredevils in difficult batting conditions has made him a giant of a man if he wasn’t one already. What’s better is the fact that Kohli has converted most fans in the country to RCB fans. That said, 40,000 spectators, whether they are RCB fans or not will have their retina focused on Virat Kohli. 2. AB de Villiers: AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI) Each time AB de Villiers dons the RCB jersey and jumper, he becomes a different player. He is not a batsman who is easy on the eye. However, he is a batsman who entertains with his innovation and splendid shot making capacity. On his day or when he gets going, he is impossible to stop. ‘A moving target is harder to hit’ they said, and AB de Villiers makes a bowler’s life hell by moving all around his crease. He will also be watched as well as expected to replicate his heroics against the Lions as he did when they visited in Bangalore earlier. 3. Suresh Raina: Suresh Raina. (Photo Source: BCCI) The skipper of the Gujarat Lions has been a breath of fresh air with the bat. Although he missed his first ever IPL match to be present at the birth of his child, Raina is currently the Lions’ leading run-getter. The captaincy role also has suited him and done him the world of good. Moreover, it would also seem as though the southpaw has matured with age. He has seemingly realized that all the balls cannot be smashed out of the park, changing his approach to the game rather significantly. 4. Dwayne Smith: Dwayne Smith. (Photo Source: BCCI) The ‘Doctor’ has arrived late to the party. Initially left out of the side to accommodate Aaron Finch, Dwayne Smith’s arrival has been somewhat spectacular, to say the least. He made a mark with his figures of 4/8 against the Kolkata Knight Riders apart from smashing the big hits into the stands from time to time. Needless to say, eyeballs will be on Dwayne Smith as he looks to entertain with both bat and ball against the highly favored Challengers. 5. Yuzvendra Chahal: Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: BCCI) The RCB bowling hasn’t been fancied as a force for most of IPL’s rich history. However, when Yuzvendra Chahal decoded the key to getting wickets, he became a household name almost instantly. With 19 wickets to his name, he is currently the holder of the purple cap, becoming the first RCB player to don the purple cap. It is also highly unlikely that Chahal will not add to his wickets tally with the Challengers expected to play at least two matches in the tournament.

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5 Players to watch out for in the IPL 9 Qualifier 1

4. Dwayne Smith:

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