Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face off against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 62nd match of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, May 12th from 7:30 pm onwards.
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RCB vs DC: Match Preview
If one were to judge solely by the points table, the clash between these two mid-table teams might seem like a tepid affair. However, their recent performances tell a different tale altogether. Delhi Capitals have triumphed in three of their last four matches, fueled by the remarkable exploits of Jake Fraser-McGurk, supported by notable contributions from Rishabh Pant and Abishek Porel, bolstering their batting lineup. This resurgence has enabled their bowlers to make a more significant impact, keeping them firmly in contention for a playoff spot.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enter the fray with four consecutive victories, largely attributed to a rejuvenated batting lineup. The inclusion of Will Jacks, coupled with Virat Kohli’s adapted role as a spin-hitter and timely contributions from the lower order, has fortified their batting arsenal. This transformation has allowed them to field a bowling attack dominated by Indian players, which has performed admirably thus far.
RCB has secured victories in their last four consecutive matches, while Delhi Capitals have won three out of their last five games. The key players of both teams have consistently performed well in recent weeks. However, this surge in form may have arrived a bit too late in the season for either team. While both remain in contention for the playoffs, their fate is not entirely within their control.
Nevertheless, both RCB and DC still have the opportunity to influence their own destinies. This will be their first encounter of the season, taking place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday night. Although DC currently holds a slight advantage with two extra points from the same number of games, they might enter the contest as underdogs. RCB is in formidable form, bolstered by strong support from their passionate home crowd. Furthermore, DC will notably be without their captain and key player, Rishabh Pant, which could further tilt the odds in RCB’s favor.
Sunday’s showdown is poised on a fairly balanced scale, although Delhi Capitals will be disadvantaged by the absence of their captain, Rishabh Pant, due to suspension. Axar Patel is confirmed to lead in Pant’s stead, opening up a spot for an Indian middle-order batsman in the lineup. The availability of David Warner hinges on his performance in practice sessions, and Delhi will be keen to address all contingencies to maintain their momentum.
However, the high stakes of the match could be dampened by inclement weather. A rain interruption would add another layer of complexity to an already intricate playoff race. While Delhi might still retain a chance in case of a washout, RCB would face elimination if the match concludes without a result.
In Terms Of Recent Form:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru WWWWL (last five completed games, most recent first)
Delhi Capitals WLWWL
RCB vs DC: Pitch Report & Conditions
The weather forecast for the match day suggests a significant chance of rain, with a 65% probability of precipitation and a 39% likelihood of thunderstorms. This raises the possibility of rain affecting the game.
Regarding the pitch, in the five matches played at this venue this season, there has been a balanced competition between teams batting first and chasing, with three matches won by the chasing teams and two by those batting first. The recent rainfall in the city leading up to the fixture might influence the conditions on match day. While historically, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has witnessed high-scoring encounters due to its small boundaries, the impact of rain could alter this trend.
Interestingly, while the stadium has hosted one match that produced the highest total in IPL history and the record run aggregate for any T20 game, none of the other four matches at the venue this season have seen totals surpassing 200. In the most recent match, RCB restricted Gujarat Titans to 147 runs, indicating some assistance for the fast bowlers early on. Therefore, it will be intriguing to observe if similar conditions prevail on Sunday night and whether the fast bowlers can capitalize. Given the sporadic rainfall in the evenings leading up to the match, interruptions due to weather could also be a factor to consider.
RCB vs DC: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 30
- Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 18
- Won by Delhi Capitals: 11
- No Result: 1
- First Played: April 30, 2008
- Last Played: May 6, 2023
RCB vs DC: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) faces a strategic choice between Glenn Maxwell and Lockie Ferguson as their fourth overseas player, with the decision influenced by match conditions and opposition dynamics. Maxwell’s notable success against Kuldeep Yadav, evidenced by his impressive record of 79 runs off 45 balls and four dismissals at a strike rate of 175.55, may prompt RCB to include him in the lineup. This decision aligns with the team’s strategy to exploit weaknesses in Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack, particularly against left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Alternatively, if Ferguson is selected, Mahipal Lomror is likely to replace Vijaykumar Vyshak in the playing XI. RCB could aim to take advantage of Delhi’s struggling pace bowling department, focusing on targeting bowlers like Khaleel Ahmed, who boasts the best economy rate among Delhi’s pacers. Moreover, Karn Sharma may play a pivotal role in RCB’s bowling strategy, particularly against Tristan Stubbs and Jake-Fraser McGurk, who have faced challenges against legspinners in IPL 2024 despite their typically high strike rates against this bowling style.
Predicted XII:
- Virat Kohli
- Faf du Plessis (capt)
- Will Jacks
- Rajat Patidar
- Glenn Maxwell
- Cameron Green
- Dinesh Karthik (wk)
- Swapnil Singh
- Karn Sharma
- Mohammed Siraj
- Vijaykumar Vyshak
- Yash Dayal
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals (DC) will see Axar Patel take over the captaincy in Rishabh Pant’s absence, as confirmed by coach Ricky Ponting. There’s optimism regarding David Warner’s return from injury, with the Australian having trained on both Friday and Saturday. Ponting hinted at tailoring the bowling lineup based on the opposition, with Jhye Richardson likely to feature as a new-ball specialist aiming to disrupt RCB’s formidable top order.
The replacement for Pant in the batting lineup remains uncertain. While Prithvi Shaw is an option, Ponting’s indication that Abishek Porel will likely continue opening suggests a preference for a middle-order batsman. Yash Dhull or Kumar Kushagra could be considered for this role.
There’s a possibility of Axar Patel being introduced during the powerplay to exploit the matchup against RCB’s openers, Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, both of whom have relatively low strike rates against spinners. However, Kohli has shown improvement in handling spin, making it a calculated risk for DC. On the bowling front, there could be a strategy to exploit Rajat Patidar’s perceived vulnerability against pace, having been dismissed eight times by pacers, four of which were by left-arm pacers.
Predicted XII:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Abishek Porel (wk)
- David Warner/Shai Hope
- Yash Dhull/Kumar Kushagra
- Tristan Stubbs
- Axar Patel
- Lalit Yadav/Sumit Kumar
- Rasikh Salam
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mukesh Kumar
- Jhye Richardson
- Khaleel Ahmed
RCB vs DC: Players Under The Spotlight
RCB- Rajat Patidar
At the 12-game mark of the season, DC boasts the spin attack with the best collective average among all teams this season (24.88) and the fourth-best economy rate (8.18). Rajat Patidar, who has the second-best strike rate against spin (229.85) among batters who have faced at least 100 deliveries of spin bowling this season, will be a key player for RCB. Additionally, Virat Kohli’s improved intent and proficiency against spin in recent matches add another layer of intrigue to the middle overs battle.
DC- Jake Fraser-McGurk
RCB has adopted a strategy of opening the bowling with a spinner in their last four games, utilizing either left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh or offspinner Will Jacks depending on the opposition’s opening combination. It remains to be seen if RCB continues with this tactic against DC, who are likely to have a left-right opening combination if either David Warner or Abishek Porel partners Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top. Fraser-McGurk, known for his aggressive approach, has been prolific in the powerplay, boasting a strike rate of 255.20 overall, 244.57 against pace, and an astounding 323.07 against spin. His attacking style could pose a significant challenge for RCB’s bowlers.
RCB vs DC: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
- Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win and choose to bowl.
- Powerplay Score (DC): 55-65 runs.
- DC Total: 195-205 runs.
- Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win.
Scenario 2:
- Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win and choose to bat.
- Powerplay Score (RCB): 65-75 runs.
- RCB Total: 220-230 runs.
- Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru win.
RCB vs DC: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Dinesh Karthik, Abhishek Porel
- Batsman: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli (C), Tristan Stubbs, Jake Fraser-McGurk (VC)
- All-rounders: Cameron Green, Axar Patel
- Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar
Team 2:
- Keeper: Dinesh Karthik, Abhishek Porel
- Batsman: Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, Jake Fraser-McGurk
- All-rounders: Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell, Will Jacks (C), Axar Patel (VC)
- Bowlers: Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Delhi Capitals (DC), IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Sunday – May 12
Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Where to watch RCB vs DC Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch RCB vs DC Live Telecast: Star Sports
