IPL 2017 Player Battles: Top 4 player encounters to look for in the Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Daredevils match
The fifth game of IPL 2017 sees the Royal Challengers Bangalore lock horns with Delhi Daredevils in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Coming back from an embarrassing loss, the two-time finalists will look to make amends against a fellow depleted side.
Extra Cover: RCB vs DD Match Prediction: Who will win the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils, IPL 2017, Match 5
With Rahul Dravid at the helm, Delhi Daredevils will look to get off to a positive start in this year’s campaign. To achieve their required results, certain player battles will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game. Let us take a look at four such player battles:
#1 Kagiso Rabada vs Chris Gayle
Playing his first season in the IPL, South African pacer Kagiso Rabada will be determined to make an impression and prove his worth from the very first game. The youngster has enjoyed plenty of success since his debut, and the very best is expected from him in this tournament as well. However, bowling to Christopher Henry Gayle is going to be a mighty challenge.
The Jamaican had a terrible four months with the bat as he scored a paltry 160 runs in nine matches in the PSL in March, and 109 runs in five games in the BPL. Although his recent stats aren’t very impressive, his abilities with the bat are known to the entire cricketing fraternity.
Without the likes of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villiers, the Jamaican will be a vital cog in the Bangalore side’s batting line-up.
Rabada, on the other hand, will look to continue his great form. He picked up eight wickets from four innings vs New Zealand in three Test matches. While Gayle will be looking to give RCB an explosive start to the innings, Rabada would try and prevent that with a fiery opening spell with the new ball.