After the exciting double-headers, the IPL will be back to the single match routine. Royal Challengers Bangalore will clash against the Delhi Capitals in what also be the fight for the No.1 spot on the points table. Both the teams will be coming on back of wins and will look to use the momentum in their favor.
RCB showcased a dominating performance against the Rajasthan Royals after defeating them by 8 wickets. The fans were on their feet as the out of form captain Virat Kohli was back with a bang, as he was seen playing his glorious strokes throughout his brilliant innings of 72 of 53 balls. RCB now look a much better side as they have a very stable opening pair in the form of Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal.
Padikkal has been scoring at ease and makes the spectators wonder if it is indeed his debut IPL season. The captain’s decision to include Adam Zampa and Isuru Udana has been doing wonders for the team and he will be hoping his team can continue the winning run.
Delhi Capitals on the other side too have been having an excellent season, winning three matches out of the four. The match against KKR also saw DC register the highest score of this season as Shreyas Iyer and Prithvi Shaw helped notch up a whopping score of 229. KKR did look threatening when Morgan and Rahul Tripathi set the fireworks, but the 229 meant one too many and ended up on the losing side by 18 runs.
It Could be exciting to see how the two inform teams battle it out against each other. Can RCB continue their winning run? Or will Delhi Capitals cement their place at the top of the table.
Head to Head
Matches Played- 24, RCB- 14, DC- 8, Tie- 1, N/R- 1
Team News
Both the teams have not reported any injuries and the teams will be more than happy to feature the same playing Xl that has been yielding some excellent results in the last few games.
Pitch and Conditions
The pitch in Dubai as seen in the last few games has been a bit on the slower side but has been batsmen friendly. Though the odd bounce at times could trouble the batsman. With the match to take place in the evening, due is expected to play a vital role once again.
The conditions are expected to be perfect for cricket as no chance of rain is expected whatsoever. The temperature though is taking a huge toil even on the fittest players and once again is on the higher side. Further to the heat, the humidity is also on the higher side.
Probable Playing Xl
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers(wk), Gurkeerat Singh, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, Isuru Udana, Adam Zampa
Delhi Capitals (DC): Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Harshal Patel
Key Battles
Devdutt Padikkal(RCB) vs Kagiso Rabada(DC)
The 20-year old RCB opener Devdutt has been one of the best finds of the tournament as he has already shown some amazing potential by scoring three half centuries in only the four matches he has played. The youngster has been dominating most of the world class bowlers and giving RCB an amazing start, which helps Kohli and AB de Villiers set the fireworks.
Delhi Capitals will be looking forward to dismissing the left-hander as early as possible and who else other than Kagiso Rabada? The Proteas pacer has been a sensation in the IPL so far picking up 39 wickets in just 22 matches and looks a very threatening bowler every time he comes in. He is also currently the joint-highest wicket taker of this season with 8 wickets.
Can the youngster continue his prime form? Or will the Proteas Sensation break through the defense?
Prithvi Shaw(DC) vs Washington Sundar(RCB)
The DC opener has been in very good touch in the last two matches and has been providing DC the much needed start at the top. The 20-year old is someone who converts his starts to big one on a consistent basis and for that reason usually takes the game away from the opposition for that reason.
Washington Sundar has been doing a wonderful job for the RCB, his inclusion along with Adam Zampa has made the RCB one of the strongest bowling units in the tournament. The young spinner has contained the batsman during the power play and due his capability of bowling dot balls he has been good at the wickets column too. It could be really exciting to see the two young talents of India take on each other.
Can the DC opener resist himself? Or will Washington Sundar cast his spell once again?
Prediction
RCB have been on a roll ever since the captain Virat Kohli made some changes in the team. The team was very well balanced with the openers doing a spectacular job and AB de Villiers doing the finishing job. RCB looks to have solved their bowling woes and now look a very difficult team to be breached.
DC on the other side have also been doing a wonderful job and the management would be hoping their opener Shikhar Dhawan clicks. The bowling department has also been doing a great job for the team
With Virat Kohli hitting form and Washington Sundar containing the batsmen at the powerplay. RCB looks very tough on the sheets. The only way DC could make inroads is by dismissing the top three of the RCB as soon as possible.
Cricwizz predicts Royal Challengers Bangalore to win the match
