Follow UsNow, this one is a big game!
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have to win if they want to qualify for the playoffs of the Indian Premier League, and Delhi Capitals must do the same.
RCB have won their last four encounters but the job is far from done. They first need to win their last two matches, and will then require a couple of results to go in their favour.
Meanwhile, the Capitals will be without their regular skipper Rishabh Pant, who has been handed a one-match suspension for his team’s slow over-rate against Rajasthan Royals.
Axar Patel will lead in his absence and he could probably have the services of David Warner on May 12 (Sunday). DC head coach Ricky Ponting has hinted that the left-handed opener is nearing full fitness and could feature in the XII if he is declared fit on the matchday.
DC have won six and lost six so far and a win against RCB would push them to No.4 spot if Chennai Super Kings lose to Rajasthan Royals earlier in the afternoon. Even if CSK win, DC would stay alive in the tournament with a win, while RCB will officially be knocked out.
It's also worth noting that a washout on May 12 (Sunday) will all but knock RCB out of the competition.
RCB vs DC Head-to-Head
Overall - Games 30 | RCB 18 | DC 11 | NR 1
In Bengaluru - Games 11 | RCB 6 | DC 4 | NR 1
Venue details
We are talking about the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, of course, it will be amazing for batting. This season, the batters here have scored runs at an average of 30.7 and a scoring rate of 10.1, while a wicket has fallen every 18.3 deliveries.
The fast bowlers have a better strike rate (18.9 v 24.2) than spinners but the latter have been slightly more economical (10.1 v 9.4).
The last clash at this venue, between RCB and Gujarat Titans (GT), was a slightly bizarre one. GT got bowled out for 147, post which RCB chased the total down in just 13.4 overs. However, the Reds lost six wickets in the process.
Weather forecast
It’s been raining in Bengaluru of late but the forecast for the matchday isn’t too bad. There’s a 10-15% chance of rain but we should probably get a full game. The temperature is expected to be around 26-28 degrees Celsius, and the humidity will be in the range of 45-60%.
Things to watch out for
Patidar is the key man for RCB
Virat Kohli has been scoring runs for fun but it’s Rajat Patidar who has made a big difference for RCB, scoring all those runs in the middle overs at a stunning strike rate.
Patidar didn’t do much in the first six matches but has slammed 168 runs in the last five innings at an average of 33.6 and a strike rate of 227. In the last match against Punjab Kings, the right-hander smoked 55 off just 23 deliveries.
Surprisingly, Patidar has struggled to score runs at the Chinnaswamy. All of his four fifties have come outside Bengaluru, while at home, he has only managed 61 runs in five innings @ 12.2.
Porel impressing at the top
Abishek Porel has been consistent with the bat for the Capitals in the last five games, with scores of 65 off 36, 18 off 15, 36 off 27, 42 off 22 and 15 off 7. In DC’s previous game against Royals, the young left-hander smashed his maiden IPL fifty.
RCB, however, can keep him quiet by bowling spin. This season, Porel has an average of close to 50 and a strike rate of 165 against pace but those numbers drop to 18 and 141 respectively against spin. Someone like Will Jacks could come in handy against Porel.
Probable XIs
RCB - Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Swapnil Singh, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Lockie Ferguson, Yash Dayal / Mahipal Lomror (IP)
DC - Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel (WK), David Warner (subject to fitness)/Shai Hope, Axar Patel (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Gulbadin Naib/Jhye Richardson, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma / Kumar Kushagra (IP)
Telecast and streaming details
The match will be live on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on Jio Cinema. The game will start at 7:30 PM, with the toss happening at 7 PM.
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