IPL 2021 preview: Unstoppable Delhi Capitals to test relentless Royal Challengers Bangalore
The continuing edition of the Indian Premier League is the 14th season of the gainful Twenty20 league. Both Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore are yet to win the IPL titles to date. While DC finished as runner-up in 2020, RCB has done so on three occasions.
FollowAs the days and matches progress, thrillers increasingly become regular in the Indian Premier League. Speaking of thrillers, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore are expected to clash in a likewise, as Match 22 of IPL 2021 would be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Both the teams have not won the IPL title to date, despite having finished as runner-up before. With both sides playing fearless cricket of late, this match promises to be a cliff-hanger as we present the preview.
Current form
Both have played five games each, winning four and losing apiece. While DC is placed second, RCB is a place below, on three. Thus, the similar approach and performance, so far, ought to make things exciting in this game.
Team combination
As for the teams, DC has a slightly batting-heavy squad, while possession of more capped recruits in the department makes it lethal with its batsmen as high-scoring totals are expected. Furthermore, the deadly form of openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw and, along with skipper Rishabh Pant, makes the side highly dangerous.
For RCB, it too is heavy with its batting and is expected to go after the DC bowlers. Moreover, the form of skipper Virat Kohli, along with opener Devdutt Padikkal, all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers, makes the side even dangerous.
Injury concerns
Although both sides do not have any injury concerns, some players miss out. For DC, all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has taken a break, considering the COVID situation in the country. Meanwhile, for RCB, spinner Adam Zampa and pacer Kane Richardson have pulled out of the tournament owing to the same reason.
Head-to-head
Considering the head-on clashes, both have played 26 games against each other, with RCB winning 15 and DC winning ten. In the 25 IPL games, RCB leads 14-10, while for the 21 matches in India, RCB leads 13-7. It would be their first-ever clash in Ahmedabad.
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Weather and pitch report
The Ahmedabad weather would be sweltering, with a likely temperature of 42 degrees and 24% humidity. The track would be slow, and the team winning the toss is expected to bat first, while it would be interesting to see if the dew factor comes into play.
Probable XI
DC: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (c&wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Lalit Yadav, Avesh Khan and Umesh Yadav.
RCB: Virat Kohli (c), Devdutt Padikkal, AB de Villiers (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Washington Sundar, Daniel Sams, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Shahbaz Ahmed and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Dhawan (vc), Maxwell, Shaw, Padikkal- Dhawan and Padikkal are sure to give an explosive start, while the former's exquisite form makes him the deputy skipper. Meanwhile, Shaw would score at number three, while Maxwell can consolidate in the middle.
Wicketkeepers: De Villiers, Pant- Both men are no-brainers here, especially considering their consistent batting of late.
All-rounder: Woakes- He is the only man that fits in the department, as he has been regularly delivering with his pace and can contribute with the bat when the situation demands.
Bowlers: Harshal (c), Avesh, Jamieson, Siraj- In an all-out pace attack, Harshal would lead the attack owing to his flexible bowling of late, thus making him the skipper. Meanwhile, Avesh, Jamieson and Siraj have been good and are sure to come up with adequate support.
Match details
Date and day: April 27, 2021 (Tuesday)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar
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