Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore have been suffering a major dip in form as the league stages come to an end. While Delhi Capitals have lost four consecutive games by a big margin, Royal Challengers Bangalore have also suffered a major dip in their momentum by losing three consecutive games. Both teams’ Net Run Rate has dipped below that of Kings XI Punjab and they must ensure that they do not lose in their last game. The equation is simple for both sides. If they win, they will seal the second spot and face Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier. If a team loses, then there are some complications.
If either Royal Challengers Bangalore or Delhi Capitals lose, they have to hope that Kings XI Punjab lose to Chennai Super Kings while Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders do not win by a massive margin against each other. They will get an additional boost if Sunrisers Hyderabad do not win against Mumbai Indians. With both teams’ net run-rate suffering, a loss could throw them out of the playoff race in the most dramatic circumstances.
Matches played
Games played - 24
Won by Royal Challengers Bangalore - 14
Won by Delhi Capitals - 9
No result - 1
Last five encounters
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals, October 5, 2020, Dubai, Result: Delhi Capitals won by 59 runs
Marcus Stoinis put on a brilliant display of power hitting as he hammered 53 off 26 balls with six fours and two sixes. He was given good support by Rishabh Pant who smashed 37. Kagiso Rabada was the star with 4/24 and two wickets apiece from Anrich Nortje and Axar Patel helped Delhi Capitals secure a big 59-run win. Virat Kohli was the top scorer with 43 but the match was also remembered for an incident where R Ashwin almost did not mankad Aaron Finch.
Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, April 28, 2019, Delhi, Result: Delhi Capitals won by 16 runs
Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer smashed fifties and Sherfane Rutherford’s cameo helped Delhi Capitals to 187/5. Royal Challengers Bangalore were boosted by cameos from Parthiv Patel and Marcus Stoinis but they were undone by a good spell from Amit Mishra and Kagiso Rabada as RCB fell short.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals, April 07, 2019, Bangalore, Result: Delhi Capitals won by four wickets
Virat Kohli and Moeen Ali hit 41 and 32 respectively but Kagiso Rabada took 4/21 but Shreyas Iyer’s superb 67 helped Delhi Capitals reach the target with seven balls to spare.
Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, May 12, 2018, Delhi, Result: Royal Challengers Bangalore won by five wickets
Rishabh Pant smashed 61 which included five fours and four sixes and he was well-assisted by Abhishek Sharma who smashed a brilliant 46 off 19 balls. But, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers smashed 70 and 72 respectively as they strung a 118-run stand in quick time to give their side a big win.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals, April 21, 2018, Bangalore, Result: Royal Challengers Bangalore won by six wickets
Rishabh Pant hammered 85 off 48 balls with six fours and seven sixes and he was ably supported by Shreyas Iyer who hit 52 off 31 balls. However, AB de Villiers was at his absolute best as he smashed 90 off 39 balls which included 10 fours and five sixes as Royal Challengers Bangalore won the game in grand style.
