In-form RCB eyes fifth win in a row against Pant-less DC
BENGALURU: Pushed into a tight corner, Royal Challengers Bengaluru rose above its frailties to notch four wins on the trot to stay alive in the race to play-offs, but Delhi Capitals even sans its suspended skipper Rishabh Pant offers it 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, it can’t get itself 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 its 10run win over Mumbai Indians and on April 29, it 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 its good work in the last four matches.
But its 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 has been nothing short of remarkable. Mohammed Siraj has found his mojo after a 10day break, and he has received excellent backing from fellow pacer Yash Dayal and left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh.
After the match against PBKS, the overall run-rate of Siraj (9.4) and Dayal (9) have gone under 10 for the first time this season, not a mean feat in a tournament where runs were scored at a breakneck pace.
Their skills will be tested first by Jack Fraser-McGurk, who has teed off to make 309 runs from seven matches at an impressive strike-rate of 235.87.
McGurk took the opener’s slot once David Warner – 167 runs from 7 matches at a strike rate of 135 – had to sit out with an injury, and he has not made the absence of the veteran felt even once.
His opening partner Abhishek Porel too has made runs at 157 strike rate, though the DC management will be happier to see him adding more consistency to his game.