IPL 2012: The Challengers from Bangalore

The two time runners-up have remained the challengers for long. The Bangalore side will want to go all the way this time round and not just on the back of Chris Gayle. They will hope that it proves to be third time lucky for them. A look at the players on whom depends the fortune of Bangalore.

At the helm is Daniel Vettori. His bowling will be well suited to the turning Indian pitches which should make him very effective against attacking players.

The blade of this man will be itching to have a go when he steps out on to the crease. Chris Gayle can destroy the bowling as he displayed so effectively last season. Bangalore know that with him at the top there is every chance to run away with the match and if he fires like last season, that alone will be enough to take them to the final four, at the very least.

Opening the innings for the Challengers, Tillakratne Dilshan can blast the bowling from early on. If he and opening partner Chris Gayle fire in tandem, the opposition can be sure of facing a really bad day.

Virat Kohli's stocks have risen by leaps and bounds since the last IPL. India's in-form batsman will now look to carry on his run-making spree for his IPL team. Going by his form, a Kohli hundred could easily be on the cards in this IPL.

AB de Villiers is that kind of player who starts steadily but can accelerate at the rate of knots. Should he go into top gear mode the fielding team will be forced to go into hiding.

Saurabh Tiwary is ideally suited to this format by his style of play. Known to get quick runs he can be a handful with the bat and is difficult to contain once in full flow - something he was unable to do last season. He will be fully motivated to change that in IPL 5.

He has been India's bowling spearhead for a decade, and he will hope to use his experience for the benefit of his team. Zaheer khan with his change of pace is a slippery customer on low surfaces and he can make the ball do the talking.

After missing the last season with injury, Dirk Nannes is fit and raring to go. A very effective bowler, the Australian, who earlier played for the Netherlands, kept compatriot and legend Glenn McGrath out of the Delhi side during his time with the Daredevils in the earlier seasons.

He first came into the limelight after playing for Bangalore in the earlier seasons of IPL. Now, Vinay Kumar is back in the RCB team after spending a season with the now defunct-Kochi Tuskers Kerala. RCB paid big bucks for the India bowler - $1 million to be precise. He did well for India in the limited overs format in Australia and will hope to take that forward here.

The bowler who has been in and out of the Indian team has a great opportunity to be back in favour of the national selectors. Along with Zaheer and Vinay, Mithun can form a good India pace attack for RCB.