We can handle Gayle if he plays against us, says Vettori

TIL Desk Sports/ Royal Challengers Bangalore head coach Daniel Vettori claimed his team is pretty well-equipped to handle Kings XI Punjab batsman Chris Gayle’s explosive batting because they are aware of his strengths.

“We probably won’t anticipate playing against Chris tomorrow (Friday). But if he does, if any team knows how good he is that is RCB and what he has done for the team for a number of years.

We are fully aware of his strengths and how we can handle him,” Vettori said of Gayle, who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the past. Gayle did not play Kings XI’s season-opener against Delhi Daredevils.

Vettori is hoping his bowlers can get the better of dashing opener K L Rahul, who smashed a 14-ball half-century against Delhi Daredevils to power Punjab to victory.

“KL was obviously in fantastic form in the first game and he knows these conditions. He missed all last year for us; it was sad not to see him perform (play at all) but he has gone away to Kings XI and started exceptionally well. Hopefully we can tackle him well,” he said.