ROYAL CHALLENGERS’ COACH RAY JENNINGS SWEATING ON ZAHEER KHAN’S FORM

Zaheer Khan’s recent poor showing leading up the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s crucial Indian Premier League match against the Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday, is giving team coach Ray Jennings a reason to be concerned.

The Indian fast bowler has seen his form on a slump since his heroic displays in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011.

The Indian bowler seems a shadow of the player who went to share the top spot in the wicket taking rankings, with 21 wickets in nine matches, in cricket’s premier tournament. Since then the bowler has been more of a liability for his side costing the Royal Challengers an average of 9.10 runs per over.

In return, his haul of five wickets in the same amount of matches has not done much to ease the worries for his coach, his team or indeed the Royal Challengers Bangalore faithful.

However Jennings seems confident that the bowler’s performances will be back to their devastating best. Speaking at a press conference the coach explained, "Zaheer's form is a concern but he is unpredictable. He is a kind of player who can come and pick up four-five wickets. He is a match-winner and his form is the biggest motivation for his comeback."

Royal Challengers’ Captain Daniel Vettori was also quick to defend Khan’s recent poor form and had faith that it was important to look forward to improving in the next match rather than dwelling in past events.

"On the day, you need one of your bowlers to step up. It's important that Zaheer and myself start well because we are the key bowlers," said Vettori.

While the bowling department in the side may be a cause for concern, Jennings highlighted that their batting line-up is more than capable of handling any kind of target set by the opposition.

With the likes of the recently appointed Sri Lankan Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, Indian sensation Virat Kohli, South African stalwart AB de Villiers and the devastating Chris Gayle, the Royal Challengers Bangalore seem well equipped in the batting department.

The Royal Challengers take on the Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday in the 30^th match of the IPL tournament with both teams looking to put in a good performance and climb up the standings.