Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore had a different start to the tournament, but approaching mid-way both are at similar position winning their last matches. A win can take 7th placed RCB to 2nd position, while DD can jump minimium 3 places from their current 9th position, if they win.
History
Both have entered knockout stages twice, and RCB has enttered the final also once. While 2008 was RCBs forgettable edition, DD had a comparatively worrying performance in 2010. With 5 wins already registered Delhi Daredevils is a feared team for Royal Challengers Bangalore who has just managed one victory in 6 clashes.
2011 Performances
RCB has seized the losing streak of 3 consecutive losses, after winnning the first game against Kochi Tuskers. In the second match they were thumped by Mumbai Indians. Then failed to chase high target against Deccan Chargers, and lost without fight against Chennai Super Kings. After the washed-out match against Rajasthan Royals, Gayle-force thwarted the strong Knight Riders.
Delhi Daredevils had their own problem. First Mumbai Indians sent them to school by blowing them away with Malinga Special that led DD score their second below 100 score in IPL. When it appeared against Royals they will have some clue, Warne’s boys also scored clinical thumping victory. Being at bottom, when hopes were about to shatter completely, Daredevils registered emphatic victory over tournament topper Pune Warriors India. But against Deccan Chargers, they played an ordinary game and lost due to poor bowling. But against the rampant Kings XI, DD won the high-scoring match.
Player’s Performance in 2011
For Delhi, player’s performance index is showing improvement. Warner is in the 200-club, while in-consistent form Venugopal has got Sehwag as company in 100-run club now. Other batsmen are still to give good scores. Their bowlers have been disappointing so far, with just 21 wickets taken in 5 matches.
RCB Player’s performance index indicate 20 wickets for bowlers in 6 matches, one of which was washed out. With Gayle’s century, 4 of their batsmen are in 100-club now with Kohli leading the chart and AB de Villiers, Dilshan and Gayle following him.
Head-to-Head: DD 5, RCB 1
2008
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DD def RCB by 10 Runs
DD def RCB by 5 Wickets
2009
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DD def RCB by 6 Wickets
RCB def DD by 7 Wickets
2010
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DD def RCB by 17 Runs
DD def RCB by 37 Runs
IPL Performances
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 abandaoned match also. In 2009 they won 9 and lost only 7.
RCB reached the semifinal 2010 and final in 2009. 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.
Overall Performance
Due to the poor performance in 2008, RCB has more losses than wins, winning 21 and losing 25. Till now they have won 23, lost 28 and one match was abandoned.
Till 2010, DD has won 23 and lost 21, with one match ending in no result. Now, after 5 matches in 2011, DD has won 25 and lost 24.
Who Will Win Today!!
Delhi Daredevils has emerged winner in 5 out of 6 matches both have played in last three editions. Only in 2009, when they reached the final, RCB was able to breach Delhi’s security once. Overall DD has dominated and there is no reason it cannot extend the domination today also.
After winning the high-scoring match against Kings XI Daredevils must be bubbling with confidence as their openers finally blasted and partied together. Bowling still remaincs a concern but does one really care if batsmen can perform well!!
RCB on the other hand has registered emphatic victory in the last match due to Gaylee force which hit KKR out of nowhere. Yet, their bowling and batting concern remains as other batsmen have struggled off-late after a good start to the tournament. With RCB and DD tied on 4 points, the match will see DD leaping ahead with their third victory.
Key Battles
Sehwag/Warner vs Zaheer and Co
Zaheer is yet to show his World Cup form in IPL. That is one of the biggest problem of RCB. But bowlers not being the main worries of franchise, he can breathe easy. DD has seen Sehwag and Warner finally balsting together and now the greedy will expect a century from one of them to take Delhi past Zaheer and Co.
Gayle vs Morkel and Co
Gayle has shown what he is capablee of with a century against KKR in his first match. But people feel Gayle is not consistent and probably for next few matches he will not be scoring more. Morkel is trying hard to find rhythem in IPL. Today’s match can be his revival day, although RCB batting line-up is full of stars including Gayle, Dilshan, de Villiers and Kohli to name a few.
Ex-Delhi Stars vs DD
AB de Villiers and Dilshan have been the pillars of DDs success specially in 2009. Now, the same duo will be taking potshots at them. Sehwag may be knowing few tricks to keep his ex-mates quiet.
RCB Squad
Batsman: AB de Villiers (WK), Luke Pomersbach, Rilee Rossouw, Saurabh Tiwary, Mayank Agarwal, Muralidharen Gautam, Mohammad Kaif, Virat Kohli, Asad Pathan, Cheteshwar Pujara,
Allrounder: Daniel Vettori (Captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Jonathan Vandiar
Bowlers: Dirk Nannes, Charl Langeveldt, Johan van der Wath, Zaheer Khan, Sreenath Aravind, Arun Karthik, BN Bharath, Raju Bhatkal, Nuwan Pradeep, Abrar Kazi, Abhimanyu Mithun, Ryan Ninan
DD Squad
Batsman: Sehwag (Captain), Aaron Finch, Colin Ingram, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Naman Ojha (WK),
Allrounder: Travis Birt, Robert Frylinck, James Hopes, Irfan Pathan, Venugopal Rao,
Bowlers: Morne Morkel, Andrew McDonald, Roelof van der Merwe, Ajit Agarkar, Varun Aaron, Robin Bist, Unmukt Chand, Ajit Chandila, Ashok Dinda, Shahbaz Nadeem, Yogesh Nagar, Prashant Naik, Rajesh Pawar, Aavishkar Salvi, Sridharan Sriram, Vikas Mishra, Tejashwi Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Vivek Yadav
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