The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will look to end the group stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on a high when they take on table-toppers Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dubai on Friday. Bangalore, who have already qualified for the playoffs, were beaten in their last outing against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Skipper Virat Kohli will look to make amends from that loss, which was primarily down to the batting unit as the side fell five runs short of a 142-run target. Kohli himself failed to fire at the top of the order, while his opening partner Devdutt Padikkal was criticised for his slow innings – scoring just 41 off 52 deliveries.
While Glenn Maxwell continued his red-hot form, scoring a quickfire 40, there were no meaningful contributions from any of the other batters. The Australian power-hitter has 447 runs with five 50s and will want to continue the good run.
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RCB’s bowling unit has done well this term with the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Harshal Patel and George Garton doing the job in the pace department. Patel is the current Purple Cap holder, with 29 wickets from 13 games.
In spin department, Yuzvendra Chahal has overcome his past struggles with some very impressive spells this season, while Shahbaz Ahmed too has kept things in check for his team.
The defeat against SRH dented RCB’s chances of ending second in the points table. RCB currently have 16 points and a much inferior net run-rate to second-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Meanwhile, the Capitals were guarenteed a top-of-the-table finish with 20 points from 13 matches after the CSK lost to Punjab Kings on Thursday.
The Rishabh Pant-led Delhi team, on the other hand, has been in formidable form, winning four of the last five matches and will look to end things on a high in the league phase before going into the playoffs.
Skipper Pant has come in for criticism for being over-aggressive and it has to be seen if he shows a sense of restraint and makes bigger contributions.
