IPL 2019: Match 20, RCB vs DC, Preview: Nightmare to get scarier for Virat’s men?

The Challengers have a better head-to-head record against the Capitals.

Published - 06 Apr 2019, 14:52 IST | Updated - 06 Apr 2019, 14:52 IST

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It will be an understatement to say that the campaign for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has completely fallen apart in this edition’s Indian Premier League (IPL). The Red Army, captained by Virat Kohli, has found themselves in winning positions on a number of instances, but haven’t been able to cash in. Consequently, they are winless in the tournament and are at the bottom of the points table.

Last night, RCB got Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), by the scruff of their necks, but a thunderstorm by the name of Andre Russell denied the hosts a much-needed victory. They would next be locking horns with the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The Challengers won their last two matches against the Delhi franchise at home and would want the result to go their way even this time.

The Capitals, on the other hand, have shown sparks of brilliance. However, the team has been plagued with inconsistencies. As a result, the Shreyas Iyer-captained side is in the fifth position in the table with two victories from five matches. More than their bowling, it’s their bowling, which has been a tad below par, especially the middle-order that has tended to fall apart when put under some pressure.

Team Combination

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB is likely to bring back Umesh Yadav in place of Mohammed Siraj, who wasn’t at his best in the last match. Umesh will have Saini and Southee in the pace department. Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel are the opening duo with the dynamic AB de Villiers at number three. Marcus Stoinis and Moeen Ali are the men in the middle order. Akshdeep Nath is the other batter. Chahal and Negi are the spinners.

Probable XI

Virat Kohli (C), Parthiv Patel (WK), AB de Villiers, Marcus Stoinis, Moeen Ali, Akshdeep Nath, Pawan Negi, Tim Southee, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav

Delhi Capitals

The Capitals may give Colin Munro an opportunity in place of Colin Ingram. The Kiwi is likely to bat in the middle order with Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan as the opening batsmen. The onus will also be on the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant in the middle order. Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris and Axar Patel are the all-rounders. Ishant and Rabada are the pacers with Lamichhane being the spinner.

Probable XI

Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Sandeep Lamichhane

Focus will be on

AB de Villiers- Royal Challengers Bangalore

The 34-year-old has been a fulcrum of the RCB setup for quite a few years. The right-hander has scored runs in heaps and has bailed his team out of jail on numerous occasions. Moreover, his numbers in the last five matches in Bangalore aren’t meek by any stretch of the imagination. Against a strong Capitals’ bowling attack, the former South African cricketer would definitely be the one to watch out for.

Shikhar Dhawan- Delhi Capitals

The southpaw started the tournament with a couple of decent knocks against MI and CK. Ever since he has got into the double-figures but hasn’t been able to convert any of them. He adds experience to the rather young Capitals’ batting lineup. The RCB bowling attack isn’t in the best of forms and it’s a chance for the left-hander to get his form back with a decent score under his belt.