When the glitz and the glamor of the build-up to the Indian Premier League makes way for cricket action Saturday, past form will not count for much. Defending champion the Rajasthan Royals could find it tough this time around, starting with their opening clash against Bangalore Royal Challengers in the second match of a double header which gets the five-week, 2009 tournament underway. MumbaiIndians meet Chennai Super Kings, who were runners-up last year, in the early match. The relocation of the world's richest cricket league from India to South Africa means that conditions will be different, with seam bowlers likely to get far more assistance than they did in the inaugural tournament in India last year. The Royals had an early taste of the Newlands pitch in a warm-up match last weekend when batsmen struggled to play the sort of dominating innings that marked the first IPL. It is a major blow for the champions will be without all-rounder Shane Watson and left-arm fast bowler Sohail Tanvir, two of the main match-winners for the underdogs who spent the least money on players but carried away the 1.2-million-dollar prize money. The Royals, who will again be led by veteran Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, will hope that Indian fast bowler Munaf Patel and South Africa's Morne Morkel can compensate for the loss of the two stars. In contrast to the Royals, the Challengers spent big but achieved little in the first IPL, finishing seventh of the eight teams. They are likely to be an improved side, however, with star English signing Kevin Pietersen leading the team and tough South African Ray Jennings cracking the whip as coach. McCullum replaces Ganguly as Knight Riders' skipper Kolkata Knight Riders have axed Sourav Ganguly and appointed Brendon McCullum captain for the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting Saturday. The decision was announced at a media conference here, where coach John Buchanan also confirmed he had ditched controversial plans to have multiple captains. “Prior to coming here there was obviously some speculation about the multiple captains,” Buchanan said. “We've appointed Brendon, who is very happy about it. He has the support of Sourav Ganguly, Brad Hodge and Chris Gayle as senior members and Matthew Mott as coach.” Wicketkeeper-batsman McCullum said the Riders were well placed to push for glory this season. – AgenciesToday's Matches Chennai Super Kings vs. MumbaiIndians 1330 and Rajasthan Royals vs. Bangalore Royal Challengers 1730 __
