The Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals have registered a place for themselves in the playoffs of this edition’s Indian Premier League 2021 and the two sides will now lock horns with each other in Dubai to play the final league game of the tournament.
Despite being a dead rubber, both the sides would be looking to gain momentum before heading into the playoffs. The Royal Challengers would seek a positive result as they are coming into this game after suffering a defeat in the previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Chasing a target of 142 in 20 overs, RCB were restricted to 137/6 as the side witnessed a rare batting failure in the competition.
On the other side, although DC managed to win their last encounter against CSK, the Rishabh Pant-led side had to fight hard to snap a win during the course. While the bowling unit was spot on and restricted CSK to 136/5 in 20 overs, the batsmen worked hard but eventually chased down the target in the final over.
Talking about the last clash between the two teams in Ahmedabad, RCB etched a win in a nail-biting thriller by just one run after DC needed 6 off the final ball but Pant who was on strike could only manage to score a four through the off-side.
Riding on AB de Villiers unbeaten 75 off 42, RCB posted 171/5 in 20 overs and DC in reply, lost early wickets but Pant and Shimron Hetmyer made sure that they remain in the game till the last ball and the two batsmen succeeded in their plans but just fell short at the finishing line.
Nevertheless, DC are also in the playoffs and would seek to continue their form.
Match Details:
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals, Match 56
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Date & Time: October 8th at 7:30 PM IST, and at 6:00 PM local time
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar
Pitch Report
The surface in Dubai has been beneficial for both the bowlers and the batsmen. Looking at the last couple of games, the bowlers did have something on offer but the way KL Rahul played against CSK was just brilliant.
The bowlers, especially spinners might have got some help in the initial phase of the game but the batsmen are likely to have a slight edge as this is an evening game. So, if you win the toss, elect to field first.
RCB’s stable unit
The Royal Challengers Bangalore might have lost their previous game but they have a pretty stable line-up. The openers Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli have been scoring runs while the middle order comprises the likes of Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers who can turn the course of the game at any given stage.
In the bowling unit, the Bangalore team has in-form Harshal Patel who is the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2021 at the moment and Yuzvendra Chahal who has been in terrific touch in the second phase of the tournament.
Overall, the RCB are well equipped and just need to stick to the basics.
DC can ride on bowling too
The Delhi Capitals bowling unit produced a pretty good performance against a very dangerous CSK batting order and kept the batsmen on the back foot for the majority of the innings. The DC bowlers have the ability to bowl economical spells which can help the side take the advantage.
Team News
RCB: The Royal Challengers Bangalore have been trying different combinations as far as the number three batting position is concerned. Now, with the side already in the playoffs, the team management has a free hand to test another batsman for the position. So, the Bangalore team might make a few tweaks in the final XI.
DC: Delhi Capitals are in good form and would look to continue the way they have been playing. Still, they can rest a few players in order to keep them fresh for the playoffs.
Probable XI
RCB: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, KS Bharat (wk), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Daniel Christian, Shahbaz Ahmed, George Garton, Harshal Patel, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
DC: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Ripal Patel/Steve Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan
Probable XI
K Srikar Bharat, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli (vc), Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prithvi Shaw, Shahbaz Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshal Patel, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan