Bengaluru, May 11: Pushed into a tight corner, Royal Challengers Bengaluru rose above their frailties to notch four wins on the trot to stay alive in the race to play-offs, but Delhi Capitals even sans their suspended skipper Rishabh Pant offer them a different challenge in the IPL match here on Sunday.
Pant was suspended for one match and handed a fine of Rs 30 lakh for maintaining slow over rate against Rajasthan Royals at Delhi on May 7.It was DC’s third offence of the season; hence the suspension came in vogue immediately leading to Pant missing the match against RCB.While the absence of Pant will certainly give RCB an edge, they can’t get themselves lulled into a comfort zone.
In the run-up to this match, RCB defeated Gujarat Titans twice, Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad once each.
While the victory over SRH was valiant, RCB did not face much challenge from the floundering Titans and Kings.But the Capitals are a team unlike any other as they have oscillated between brilliant and ordinary in the span of a few days.
On April 27, the Pant-led side posted a hefty 257/4 in their 10-run win over Mumbai Indians and on April 29, they made a lowly 153/9 while capitulating against Kolkata Knight Riders.
The RCB, currently seventh with 10 points from 12 matches, will desperately hope not to run into that brilliant Capitals as a defeat can undo their good work in the last four matches.
But their confidence will be high, courtesy strong and consistent batting effort led by talisman Virat Kohli.
Kohli is the leading run-getter in this IPL with 634 runs but, more importantly, those runs have come at a brisk rate of 153, giving RCB early momentum while setting or chasing targets.
Along with Kohli, additional runs from skipper Faf du Plessis, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green and Dinesh Karthik have provided their bowlers, who have responded to the call splendidly, with a cushion.
The transformation of RCB bowlers in the last four matches have been nothing short of remarkable.Mohammed Siraj has found his mojo after a 10-day break, and he has received excellent backing from fellow pacer Yash Dayal and left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh.
Match starts at 7.30 PM. (PTI)
