It`s going to be tough game against Punjab: Vettori

Mohali: Sitting pretty at the second position in the points table, Royal Challengers Bangalore are not facing an intimidating rival but they are not taking Kings XI Punjab lightly either in tomorrow`s IPL match.

In contrasting campaigns, Punjab have managed to win just four out of their 10 games so far while RCB have seven wins in 11 games. "I think Mohali is a strong side in these conditions. They are playing some good cricket right now, particularly their batting. (Shaun) Marsh and (David) Miller, in particular, have performed well. It?s going to be an extremely tough game," Vettori said addressing a news conference at the PCA stadium here. Speaking on the sidelines of his team?s practice session, in which skipper Virat Kohli and other players barring Chris Gayle took part, Vettori indicated that there may be some changes in the playing XI tomorrow. "(Cheteshwar) Pujara is available again. I am not sure what the management is thinking, but he?s obviously a class player. So he will come into the thinking. And with this sort of wicket, I am sure, Ravi Rampaul who has done very well for us this season, will come back into the selector?s minds." However, when asked about his own absence from the playing XI, he said, "this is part of IPL, it`s not really a problem." Asked that the RCB had not been winning away games, Vettori did not see this as much of an issue, saying "it was only a couple of losses. The team is confident about the scenario, about the venue." Asked if as a bowler he was playing against Chris Gayle what would be his strategy, "play in the same team, that?s my strategy,? he said jokingly and then added "It is difficult, particularly for a left arm spinner?some teams have done well, some teams have done poorly (against Gayle)." Meanwhile, KXIP coach Darren Lehman said the team has had some close matches and now they were hoping to win the remaining encounters. The coach also said that his team`s batting and bowling has clicked in patches and what they need is an all-round performance. Meanwhile, while majority of the RCB players took to the nets, only a handful of KXIP players participated in their practice session here in the afternoon. PTI