RCB vs DD: 5 player battles to look forward to between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils

Both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils are desperate for a win so that they can climb out of the bottom half of the table as both teams have recorded only 1 win in 4 games, and RCB are above DD at 7th by virtue of a superior net run rate. Tonight’s game in Bengaluru could provide much-needed steam to the winning team and condemn the losing team into a negative spiral.

Hence, the game is all set to be a fiercely contested one. As is the case with all games, the battles within the tie will decide the ultimate outcome of the game, and in that regard, these are the 5 absorbing battles that will be the focus of most fans.

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#5 AB de Villiers v Chris Morris

AB de Villiers

The battle of the South Africans adds another subplot to this game, and this particular duel has every chance of having a big influence on the outcome of tonight’s game.

All-rounder Chris Morris has failed to dismiss AB de Villiers even once in T20 cricket and has gone for plenty of runs (50 from 21 deliveries faced). He would need to correct that tonight and help DD throttle RCB’s premier batsman.

de Villiers is quite possibly the most difficult batsman to bowl to in world cricket and possesses the ability to take the game away from the opposition fairly quickly. He did not do well in the last two games but he started well and is averaging 30.50, with a strike rate of 146.98.

Against DD’s profligate bowling attack, he would fancy his chances. However, Morris is someone who would certainly want to keep his compatriot quiet.

#4 Washington Sundar vs Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

The RCB attack has been taken to the cleaners in this year’s IPL more than once but one bowler who has done relatively well is young spinner Washington Sundar. His varieties, accuracy and clever changes of pace have made him a difficult bowler to dominate.

For instance, in the game against the Rajasthan Royals, he opened the bowling and went for only 30 in his quota of 4 overs. This was in a game in which the opposition scored 217.

He is a vital cog in RCB’s bowling wheel and tonight he comes up against another superb young talent in DD’s Rishabh Pant. The left-hander is the highest scorer in DD’s team with a total of 138 runs and has recorded a strike rate of 176.92. He has the rare ability to start launching into the bowlers from the start and that makes his battle with Sundar all the more intriguing.

Will he be able to dominate Sundar? Or will the bowler be able to hold his own against a superb power-hitter? The result of this mini-battle will have a huge bearing on today’s game.

#3 Umesh Yadav vs Glenn Maxwell

Umesh Yadav (Image via Indian Express)

He may have blown hot and cold, but fast bowler Umesh Yadav has comfortably been RCB’s most effective quick bowler in the tournament so far. Except in the game against RR, he has been excellent and has picked up 7 wickets so far, with an economy rate of just over 9.

He would have to deliver in tonight’s game if RCB are to entertain any chance of winning and his potential clash against Australian batsman Glenn Maxwell is going to be fascinating.

Yadav did not do much in his first two games but seemed to be back in his six-hitting groove during DD’s rout against KKR. He hit 47 off 22 balls and hit 4 sixes, along with 3 fours. He is someone who can really hurt RCB, but in Umesh Yadav, he is going to come up against a bowler who has had the better of him in recent encounters.

He has been dismissed by Yadav thrice in T20 cricket and he would perhaps like to set the record straight tonight.

#2 Yuzvendra Chahal vs Jason Roy

Jason Roy (Image via Indian Express)

DD’s opening batsman Jason Roy is not a good player of leg-spin bowling and that is something that should be on the minds of the RCB team management. The England batsman has been undone by leg-spin bowling 12 times in 20 games going back to 2015 and has recorded a strike rate of around 110.

So, clearly there is a problem and if RCB has to exploit that they should introduce their ace leg-spinner, Yuzvendra Chahal, right away. In the last game, KKR opened with Piyush Chawla and had him stumped. So, this is a strategy that feels like a no-brainer.

However, Roy is the sort of batsman who can suddenly decide that there is no point being cautious against the leg-spinner and instead decide to go after him from the start. If he is successful then RCB might have a very long night on their hands and in fact, such an attack might decisively swing the game DD’s way.

#1 Virat Kohli vs Trent Boult

Virat Kohli

In Trent Boult, DD have one of the best new ball bowlers in the world and his duel against Virat Kohli is going to set the tone for tonight’s game. The RCB captain is the highest scorer in the tournament so far, and although his unbeaten 92 in the previous game was an act of preserving the net run rate, it showed that he is definitely back in form.

On the other hand, Boult is the sort of bowler who can bowl a spell that can rip the heart out of any batting order and that is why this is a battle that is not only going to be a battle between two top-class performers but also has a say in the result of the game.

If Kohli manages to attack right from the word 'go', the DD bowling attack might fall apart. However, if Boult manages to dismiss the current holder of the Orange Cap then RCB might find themselves in trouble at their home ground.