Prateeksha Thakur
April 10, 2025:
RCB vs DC: The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is set for a thrilling showdown between Rajat Patidar’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Axar Patel’s unbeaten Delhi Capitals (DC) in a fireworks-guaranteed encounter. Both sides are evenly matched and battle-hardened, so this game can be the icing on the cake for the ongoing week of action in the IPL season.
Delhi Capitals, climbing consistently up the points table, have won all their three matches to date. Their all-Indian coaching staff, led by Hemang Badani, have built a solid, strategic group.
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RCB, on the other hand, are coming off a gritty victory and would be desperate to record a win at their den, the Chinnaswamy. With Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis set to deliver their experience and firepower in the top order, RCB will be looking to get off to a solid start. Devdutt Padikkal and Rajat Patidar, both being in good touch, add strength to the top four.
In the middle order, the fight between Liam Livingstone and Axar Patel can decide the momentum. Both are all-rounders who have the ability to shift gears in a flash of time. Lower down, Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma add power-hitting credentials to RCB, and DC has options in Jitesh Sharma and Tim David for late-over acceleration.
Bowling will prove to be the turning point. Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist spin gives Delhi a noticeable edge in the middle overs, especially on a track where flighted balls can challenge attacking batting. Bengaluru’s Suyash Sharma, despite being less seasoned, has impressed with his control and variation of pace.
With both teams so evenly matched, the toss could prove to be the difference-maker. Running in lights at Chinnaswamy has tended to favor teams in general in the past, especially given that dew would come into play.
Pitch and Conditions:
The Chinnaswamy pitch is renowned for large scores, and the short boundaries will favor big hitters. However, spinners will be assisted a bit if they can vary their pace. Dew will certainly come into play in the second innings, and the toss will become crucial.
What to Expect:
A high-scoring encounter with momentum swings is likely. Both teams are well-matched on paper, but Delhi’s recent form gives them a slight edge. That said, RCB’s familiarity with the conditions and the support of the home crowd could level the playing field.
NI Bureau
