It’s a double-header today. The first match is between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are coming here after two back-to-back wins and will want to carry that momentum, For Delhi Capitals, how they manage after two back-to-back losses will be key.
Virat Kohli is one six away from 300 in the IPL, a mark only Chris Gayle and Rohit Sharma have reached. Royal Challengers Bengaluru play their 100th game at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, 18 years after their first, with four wins in five and a settled side, though home comfort will be tested again.
RCB Probable XI: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy
Impact subs: Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Injuries/Unavailabilities: Virat Kohli missed last two games, trained lightly. Royal Challengers Bengaluru may again use him as Impact Player.
Watch Live Streaming: Fans can watch the RCB vs DC match live on the app and website of JioHotstar.
Toss Time: 3:00 PM
Pitch report: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium usually produces high scores, though tall pacers can find some help. Chasing sides have done better here recently. Pitch No. 7, used earlier this season, has a light grass cover. With temperatures around 35°C expected, batting first could still be the safer option despite the usual preference to chase.
Head to head: RCB 20-12 DC. The teams split the two encounters last season, each winning at the other’s home.
If the surface holds, Delhi Capitals will rely on spin through Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam. They arrive after two losses and need a reset. KL Rahul has a strong record here. Their pace attack has also been among the most economical this season.
DC Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Lungi Ngidi, T. Natarajan.
Impact subs: Mukesh Kumar, Vipraj Nigam
Injuries/Unavailabilities: The Capitals are still waiting on the fitness of Mitchell Starc, who is yet to arrive for the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru play their 100th IPL game at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with four wins in five. Results at home have improved after past struggles. Andy Flower said lessons have been learnt, but conditions remain unpredictable and can shift quickly.
Delhi Capitals arrive after two losses and need a response. Their start was strong but momentum has dipped. Spin through Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav could be key if the pitch slows.