IPL 2014 Preview: RCB Set to Dominate Daredevils

Royal Challengers Bangalore have been considered the most entertaining team since arrival of Gayle. Addition of Yuvraj makes them now the most dangerous batting unit among the IPL teams. Pietersen could have been some match to them when Delhi Daredevils face them. But unfortunately, in his absence the completely revamped DD does not look dangerous at all. Overall, even if two of their top four cylinders fire, RCB is set to easily thump DD to get a winning start to their yet another hunt for the elusive title.

IPL 2014: Fixture and Results

Gayle, Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Yuvraj together in one team can scare any team in the world. Delhi Daredevils must have a special plan on how the likes of Shami, Rahul Sharma, Neesham, Nadeem, Parnell will be able to stop them from reaching 200 runs, if RCB bat first. And then how in hte absence of default captain Pietersen, the nominated captain Dinesh Karthik can motivate himself and his team-mates de Kock, Ross Taylor, Duminy, Manoj Tiwary and Murali Vijay to score more than what RCB scores. On paper, it appears to be a one-sided much. But if like MI cylinders failed to explode in the first match, and if DD bowlers can find their Narine and Morkel, probably they can sniff a chance to win.

History
Until 2010 edition RCB has managed to win only one match against DD, after losing 5. But since Gayle’s arrival and grabbing ex-DD duo Dilshan and AB de Villiers, RCB has won all the five matches of the last three editions.

Head-to-Head: DD 5, RCB 6
2008

    DD def RCB by 10 Runs
    DD def RCB by 5 Wickets

2009

    DD def RCB by 6 Wickets
    RCB def DD by 7 Wickets

2010

    DD def RCB by 17 Runs
    DD def RCB by 37 Runs

2011

    RCB def DD by 3 wickets

2012

    RCB won by 31 runs, MOM: AB de Villiers
    RCB won by 21 runs, MOM: Gayle

2013

    RCB won the Super Over, MOM: Kohli
    RCB won by 4 runs, MOM: Unadkat

IPL Performances
2013 was the worst year of once considered strong Daredevils team. DD has reached semifinal in 2008 and 2009, but failed to complete a hattrick of semifinals in 2010. In 2008 and 2010 they won 7 and lost 7 matches, but in 2008 they have one abandoned match also. In 2009 they won 9 and lost only 7. In 2011, they finished at the bottom with 4 wins and 9 losses. But in 2012 they bounced back by going on top of the table to enter knockout, but the result there was again same as they failed to enter the final even in their third attempt. In 2013 they provided the worst record by a team in any edition, winning only 3 matches, losing 13.

RCB reached the semifinal 2010 and final in 2009 and 2011. 2008 was a forgettable experience with 7th place finish. While 2008 saw them winning 4 but losing 10, 2009 finalists won 9 and lost 7. In 2010 they won 8 and lost 8 to finish as 3rd. In 2011 they topped the group but lost the final, overall winning 10 and losing 6. 2012 and 2013 saw them finishing close 5th.

Overall Performance
Considered the third best team of IPL now after CSK and MI, RCB has 48 wins, and 45 losses.
On the other hand DD has won 42, lost 40, with two matches producing no result, still a positive winning rate.

Verdict
A walk in the park for RCB.

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