Strongest Delhi Capitals (DC) Playing XI Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)

Delhi Capitals are in fine form in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise is placed at the second spot in the IPL points table just behind Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with four wins from five matches. They will be next locking horns against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on April 27, Tuesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Entering the contest against RCB, DC will be buzzing with confidence as they have registered victory in all their previous three games against Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. Also, their last victory against SRH was special considering they clinched the first Super Over of IPL 2021 to gain two points.

DC Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2021- Match 22

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw)

Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan form a perfect opening pair for the Delhi Capitals. Both the batters are in fine form in the tournament and have been successful in giving DC the desired start. While Shaw is known for his power-hitting abilities and he goes after the opposition bowlers right from the first ball, Dhawan plays the role of the anchor and gradually paces his innings.

Shikhar is the current proud owner for the orange cap as in five innings, the left-hander has a stunning 259 runs under his belt at an average of 51.80. Shaw, on the other hand, has amassed 166 runs in five games at an average of 33.20.

Middle Order (Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (C and WK), Shimron Hetmyer)

The IPL 2020 runner-up is unlikely to make any changes to their competent middle-order. The presence of Steve Smith has made Delhi a complete batting unit as Smith can play the role of anchor and explosive power-hitters likes Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer can launch an assault on the opposition bowlers.

The former Australian captain played a sublime knock of 34* runs off 25 balls and stitched a crucial partnership with Rishabh Pant to propel DC towards a total of 159 in their last outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Another good news for DC is that their skipper Rishabh Pant seems to have regained his form after a poor run in the last two to three games. Batting against SRH, the youngster added 37 runs to the scoreboard in just 27 balls.

All-Rounders (Marcus Stoinis, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel)

DC’s last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai saw the celebrated all-rounder Axar Patel playing his first game in IPL 2021 after recovering from Covid-19. The presence of Axar in the playing XI has bolstered Delhi as Axar has the ability to produce match-defining performances both with the bat and the ball.

Though the spinner didn’t get a chance to bat against Hyderabad, he was the wrecker-in-chief for DC while bowling. The spinner took two wickets along with restricting SRH to a below-par total of seven runs in the Super Over. DC’s next game against RCB can see the inclusion of Lalit Yadav in the squad.

Lalit was dropped from the side as Axar returned to the camp. However, with Ravi Ashwin pulling out his name from the tournament, Capitals are likely to include the spinner in the playing XI as he delivered a decent performance with both ball and willow. Apart from Axar and Lalit, Marcus Stoinis will be the third all-rounder in the DC’s playing XI.

Bowlers (Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Kagiso Rabada)

Delhi Capitals are unlikely to make any changes to their bowling attack except the exclusion of Ravi Ashwin. Ashwin has left DC’s camp and thus will be unavailable for the coming matches. In the absence of Ashwin, Amit Mishra will be essaying the role of the main spinner for the Capitals.

The two frontline bowlers who are likely to find a place in the playing XI are Kagiso Rabada and Avesh Khan. Though Rabada is not at his fluent best in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the management is likely to back him as he has delivered many match-winning performances for the franchise. 

Avesh Khan, on the other hand, has been a revelation for the team in IPL 2021 as he has grabbed the opportunity provided to him with both hands. The 24-year-old is the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2021 after Harshal Patel with 11 scalps in five matches.