IPL 2018, RCB vs DD: Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) probable playing XI vs Delhi Daredevils (DD)
Two Delhi-boys will tussle it out in the middle to regain lost pride and fight their way back into contention when bottom-ranked Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore clash at the Chinnaswamy.
Do you think you have the tactical acumen to predict who will fare better in each IPL match? If you are looking for a way to put it to good use, all you need is to look at StarPick. With plenty of exciting features and a chance to win millions in prize money, here is how you can get started with StarPick. Select your StarPick team here.
For the Bangalore side, it is familiar territory - the side has leaked runs like a faulty faucet, and haven't been able to clinch the game at crucial junctures. Here's what the line-up could look like against the Daredevils:
Quinton de Kock can bludgeon a cricket ball or play the most delightful of strokes, such is his versatility of play at the top. No Brendon McCullum at the top gives him more opportunities to express himself during the powerplays and rack up some quick runs.
After waiting and watching, Virat Kohli pushed himself back to the opener's slot, and blasted an unbeaten 92, which, as his luck would have it, ended on the losing side. The lack of support won't stop him from scoring runs aplenty, but nothing would satisfy him more than an RCB win.
Such is the life of AB de Villiers that even one failure puts him in the spotlight of doubt and criticism, the stigma of being a poor chaser adds to haunt him. He played a crucial knock against Punjab, and the RCB will need more such onslaughts from him towards the death.
Mandeep Singh is used to being shunted up and down the order but will need to play at least one game-changing, impactful knock to hold onto his place. He has the strokes in his kitty, and the experience to back it.
Sarfaraz Khan has been under fire ever since he was retained by the RCB, with detractors questioning his credentials and his recent lack of match-practice. He showed glimpses of his immense talent a couple of seasons back and needs one good knock to get the confidence running again.
Colin de Grandhomme can be quite a useful option for the odd, silent spell in the middle-overs, and wield the long handle to telling effect when needed. He could replace a misfiring Corey Anderson and could add some much-needed zing to the line-up.
The cool and calm Washington Sundar lends balance to the RCB side, his off-spin at the start of the innings can stifle the run-flow and lean the momentum in the side's favour. You can add to that his dependable batting, which can be used in different positions.
Englishman Chris Woakes has had his plate full as the pace bowling battery of the side, barring Umesh Yadav in spurts, has not really taken off. He admitted that the team has not been able to stitch together a consistent performance with both ball and bat.
Umesh Yadav has blown hot and cold in this tournament - he gave the side an ideal start in the previous game with two wickets from the first two balls, and is getting the ball in the right areas in the opening overs. His form is crucial for the Bangalore side to change their fortunes.
With Kulwant Khejroliya not making a mark in the first few games, the management is trying out Mohammed Siraj as the second Indian pacer in the side. While his T20 statistics show poor economy figures, he will be aiming to make up for it by prising out wickets at the death.
It's high time Yuzvendra Chahal steps up his game, retained by the RCB, he is their trump card, the bowler they require the most to return to form. He knows the Chinnaswamy pitch like the back of his hand, and would be aiming to get his variations right in time for the Delhi clash.