As we move closer to the playoffs, it is getting tighter and tighter in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL). Match #46 this Sunday night will feature Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi and Australian viewers can watch all the action unfold live on Kayo Sports from 8:30pm AEST.
Delhi Capitals have 14 points from 11 games and are hovering around the top-three, while Royal Challengers Bangalore on the other hand, have four wins from 11 and are at the bottom of the table.
Only two points separate teams from fourth to eighth and none of the teams are as yet mathematically out of the race. With a playoffs place at stake, this match also looms as a proverbial ‘six-pointer’.
Delhi Capitals Preview
Delhi have surprised everyone with their results and have five wins in their last six matches. With Shikhar Dhawan (401 runs, SR 137.32) leading the charge at the top, they have managed to overcome the poor form of Prithvi Shaw (262 runs).
The challenge for the Capitals remains their middle-order, although Rishbah Pant’s form (336 runs, SR 163.16) is a great asset. So is the bowling of Kagiso Rabada (23 wickets, ER 7.83), who continues to lead the ‘Purple Cap’ race. A big question mark lies on their non-utilisation of BBL star Sandeep Lamichhane, but for now, the Capitals look a well-oiled unit.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview
Down and out with six straight losses, RCB have turned up late in the tournament. All their four wins have come in their last five games and there is a bounce in the camp. The consistency of Virat Kohli (400 runs, SR 134.68) and AB de Villiers (414 runs, SR 158.01) is both an asset and a liability.
Bowling wise, there have been too many heartbreaks because of their inconsistencies, but the RCB bowlers are slowly turning up. Yuzvendra Chahal (14 wickets, ER 7.82) is an exception with his wicket-taking ability. The absence of Dale Steyn due to injury is a blow, but overall the RCB unit is on a high.
Matchup
Parthiv Patel (326 runs, SR 135.83) has been excelling at the top for RCB and has been consistent with his scores. His ability to give rapid starts without too much burden on Kohli could be the gamechanger for the visitors.
Rabada has been sensational in this tournament with 23 wickets to his name. His consistency at both ends of the innings makes him a deadly customer.
Dhawan has picked up form a bit late in the tournament but has been consistently among the runs. His starts have been doubly important for the Capitals considering Prithvi Shaw has been struggling for runs.
Betting Tips
Total sixes over 10.5
$1.72
Parthiv Patel score over 19.5 runs
$1.83
AB de Villiers top RCB batsman
$6.50
