IPL 2023 Predictions: RCB vs DC

Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals will clash in match No. 20 of IPL 2023 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a vital encounter as they both try to bring their season back on track after multiple losses.

Notably, the David Warner-led DC is yet to win any of their matches in the ongoing season and things are not looking good for them at the moment.

The main issue is that their batting has just not fired.

The skipper is leading from the front but his strike rate has been a major issue.

Axar Patel scored his maiden half-century as well in the last game and his form is one of the bright spots for DC.

Manish Pandey also got some runs (26) after a duck in the last game but Prithvi Shaw has been a colossal disappointment with 36 runs in four innings.

Rovman Powell too is suffering from a loss of confidence with 7 runs in three innings.

This could pave the way for Rilee Rossouw’s return to the line-up.

Youngster Yash Dhull featured in his first game of the season but got out trying to force the issue.

Among bowlers, Mukesh Kumar has taken four wickets in the last two games.

However, strike bowlers Anrich Nortje and Kuldeep Yadav have not lived up to their hype.

Nortje has picked up two wickets in the three matches so far. But Nortje can prove to be lethal with the ball in Bangalore as because he can generate extra pace and bounce.

Mitchell Marsh is back home for a week and is unlikely to feature in Saturday’s game.

Khaleel Ahmed is doubtful as well with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile Royal Challengers Bangalore lost back-to-back games after starting the season on a high with a win over Mumbai Indians.

RCB’s middle-order and death bowling has mostly let them down.

There are no fresh injury concerns reported from RCB camp since their loss to LSG but Wanindu Hasaranga should be available for the game.

Skipper Faf du Plessis has been in sublime form in the ongoing tournament.

In three matches so far, the 38-year-old has smashed 175 runs at a strike rate of 173.26.

The rest of the batters, Dinesh Karthik, Mahipal Lomror, and Anuj Rawat are yet to show their form this season.

Among bowlers, Mohammad Siraj finally brought his A game with a three-wicket spell in the last game that rattled the LSG top-order.

The responsibility of taking wickets death in the slog over is again on Harshal Patel, who  almost clinched the game for his side.

David Willey went wicketless in the last game but is likely to keep his place.

Spinner Karn Sharma has taken five wickets in three games, but his spin partner Shahbaz Ahmed has been ineffective.

RCB vs DC pitch report Known to be batting-friendly in the limited overs format thanks to the flat wickets and the small ground dimension,   on the wickets. Notably, spinners often find some help from the pitch with leg spinners being more effective.

Pitch Report

M Chinnasway Staium is a batter’s paradise.

No target is usually safe on this ground and thus, the team batting first needs to explode right from the start.

Going by the past record of T20s played here, the chasing team has an advantage.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Playing XI:

Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis (c), Mahipal Lomror, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Wayne Parnell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, Siddharth Kaul, Mohammed Siraj

Delhi Capitals Playing XI:

Prithvi Shaw, David Warner (c), Phil Salt (wk), Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Mustafizur Rahman

Who will win

RCB’s batting is over-reliant on Kohli and Faf. Their middle is untested and is susceptible against quality pace bowling.

If Nortje and Mustafizur hit their stride, RCB’s batting could collapse.

DC were unlucky to lose the last match and are fast improving. Hence our experts feel DC will win this contest.