IPL 2020: Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore look to snap losing streak in playoff scramble

At one point in time, both Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore were cruising towards the playoffs. Their batting and bowling was clicking and there was a totality to their performances. Both teams needed just one win to seal their spot in the playoffs. In IPL 2020, we were seeing two teams who were the traditional laggards play top-notch cricket. However, in the last couple of weeks, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore have reverted back to their old, inconsistent ways and are in the middle of a losing streak. Delhi Capitals have lost four games by big margins on the trot and Royal Challengers Bangalore have suffered three defeats consecutively.

To compound the matters of both teams, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore Net Run-Rate is much lower than that of Kings XI Punjab. But, because they have won seven games and the nature of the playoff race has been so tight this season that two teams will qualify on 14 points. Because of their good work and consistency at the start of the tournament, the equation is simple for the side that wins this clash. If either Delhi Capitals or Royal Challengers Bangalore, they will finish in the top two. The flip side – They will have to face Mumbai Indians who are on top of their game in IPL 2020.

If either team loses, then the likes of Sunrisers Hyderabad are likely to pounce upon their renewed momentum and knock one of the sides out. This is not even taking into account of the results that materialise in the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals clash as well as the game between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab. The fact that teams which has been so inconsistent can still make the playoffs is an indication that either preparation of all the sides has been similar or some teams have just not been able to shake the rust off in the aftermath of the long break that was enforced due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Team News

With this being the last league game potentially for either side, they would be looking to maximize their depth. Perhaps, Aaron Finch might come back in place of Josh Philippe for the experience factor. For Delhi Capitals, they may want to give an opportunity to Tushar Deshpane or get back Axar Patel to counter the AB de Villiers factor.

Probable Playing 11s

Delhi Capitals - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Harshal Patel/ Tushar Deshpande, Praveen Dubey/Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Ravichandran Ashwin, Anrich Nortje

Royal Challengers Bangalore - Josh Philippe/Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers(w), Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Washington Sundar, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Yuzvendra Chahal

Match details

Match: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Date and Time: 02^nd November, 7:30 PM

Venue: Sheikh Zayed stadium Abu Dhabi.

Statistics

Delhi Capitals have won their last three encounters against Royal Challengers Bangalore but Virat Kohli’s side have a better head-to-head record against them.