RCB Aim to Conquer Home Turf Against In-Form DC

The Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have both won the same number of IPL 2025 games thus far. While RCB is yet to win at home after playing more away games than at home, the Delhi Capitals have not yet lost a game. The crucial query is: how does RCB adjust to and benefit from their own home environment? That’s the main talking point for yet another consecutive game. When they stumbled against Gujarat Titans, who did better with a more cautious approach with the bat but in more advantageous conditions, what had boded well for them in other situations—an increase in aggressive purpose with the bat—turned out to be a thorn in their side at home.

Assessment and adaptation will be the main topics of discussion once more, and RCB may have a lot of success in their attempt to establish a solid foundation at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium if they can align their newly discovered purpose with what is required. They demonstrated their flexibility and adept ball-handling strategy against MI in their most recent encounter, which suggests they are in strong form going forward. They would now attempt to maintain that confidence for their home game as well.

Like RCB, Delhi has benefited from strong early-season play from its main players. Axar Patel, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, and KL Rahul have all been able to lead the club through crucial moments. They now have extra weapons in their quiver thanks to the aggression of younger players like Vipraj Nigam and Ashutosh Sharma.

They would also be in a similar situation when it comes to adjusting here because they possess the necessary expertise in the ranks for the circumstances that exist in Bengaluru. Similar to RCB, KL Rahul has also found the proper gears in T20 cricket with an aggressive style. If Faf du Plessis returns to full fitness, it appears that he will return to the middle-order position. It has also compensated for certain underperforming players, such as Jake Fraser-McGurk, as they continue to win.

“I believe Jake plays a high-risk role in every part he plays, but what is the objective when he is not playing? According to him, winning three or four games and influencing others is what a great tournament will look like, and there are still many games left. All of our leadership has given him complete autonomy. Specifically, Axe [Axar Patel] has stepped up his efforts to play his style and dominate the game from the start. Quite comparable to what you’ll see from Phil Salt and similar individuals. Their assistant coach, Matthew Mott, noted that while playing that high-tempo game is definitely risky, he accomplishes some things that very few players in the world can do.

Since neither team is concerned with form, the difficulty would be in maintaining it in the face of the obstacles presented by the circumstances.

When: 19:30 IST on April 10, 2025

Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru’s

What to anticipate: There was a noticeable green tint to the pitch on the night of the game. It has the qualities to help movement off the surface, as was observed earlier in the tournament, even though it is not the same one used for the match versus Gujarat Titans.

Matchup: RCB 19 vs. 11 DC

Team Observation:

RCB

Availability and Injuries: The club has no known injury issues.

Strategies and contests: Rajat Patidar, who is currently playing well, is regarded as one of the game’s top spin-hitters. Depending on Patidar’s availability at the crease, the Delhi Capitals may try to strategically manage their overs of excellent spin from Axar and Kuldeep Yadav. The choice between Suyash Sharma and Rasikh Salam as their impact substitute for home games is also up for debate. Although the former has performed admirably in the “away” games, Salam’s presence in Bengaluru was required due to certain circumstances. Will they follow the same path again, or might form win out?

Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Rasikh Salam/Suyash Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Phil Salt are the probable members of the XII.

Delhi Capitals

Injuries/Availability: Faf du Plessis is anticipated to be eligible for this game despite missing the Delhi Capitals’ last match owing to illness. He seemed to have no problems throughout his lengthy nets practice. T Natarajan also participated in the nets the day before the match, but it’s unclear if he’ll be healthy and whether DC would want to switch up the winning lineup.

Strategies and matchups: Krunal Pandya might be a matchup choice in the PowerPlay, particularly when facing left-arm spinner Faf du Plessis, who has a strike-rate of 124. More sixes have been hit by RCB’s middle order than by any other team this season. There may be plenty of action in a possible matchup with Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav.

Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma/T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Faf du Plessis, and Jake Fraser-McGurk are the probable XII.

Were you aware?

Virat Kohli has 10 IPL scores over fifty and averages fifty or more against the Delhi team.

In the IPL 2025 Powerplay, Josh Hazlewood’s dot-ball percentage is 72.9.

No one has taken more wickets in the IPL since 2022 than Kuldeep Yadav, who has 40 in the middle overs (7 to 15).

What did they say?

“He simply strikes a wonderful balance between life and cricket. He would frequently simply recap the group and ensure that all of the players are present. They are smiling, and they are enjoying themselves. He discusses that a lot. I believe he has now played enough cricket to understand that the game can occasionally be somewhat unpredictable. We are fully aware that everything is fine while you are winning. I want to assume that he has the kind of personality that, even on terrible days, he will remain upbeat and convey a similar message. I believe he also takes advantage of many of the coaches and other older players in the organisation. He hasn’t taken on everything by himself. I believe that he is surrounded by some amazing people. – Assistant Coach Matthew Mott of the Delhi Capitals on captain Axar Patel.

“This time, execution is going smoothly. We are capable of carrying out all of our plans this year. That’s the distinction. There is nothing remarkable that we are doing. There is no magic fix for us. We’re working to carry out our plan. RCB wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma discusses what’s effective so far this season.