‘They will miss Rishabh Pant’ - Mike Hesson backs RCB to register victory against DC in upcoming clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Delhi Capitals in their next IPL (Indian Premier League) 2024 game. Both sides will lock horns at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in the 62nd game of the tournament on Sunday, May 12. 

Ahead of the clash, Delhi Capitals will be without the services of their regular skipper Rishabh Pant against RCB as the star wicketkeeper batter has been suspended for one game by the Indian Premier League for maintaining a slow over-rate.

Pant’s absence could be a major miss for DC, as the side is still in contention to reach the playoffs, and Pant missing out against RCB could be harmful for DC. The same was the opinion of former RCB coach Mike Hesson, who reflected on how DC will have a hard time defeating Bengaluru without Pant by their side. 

"Two sides that I think are very confident, you know, heading into this game. So two games to go, RCB are flying high with four wins. You know, DC, I think, have won three out of the last four. And they are, you know, playing some very good cricket,” Hesson told JioCinema. 

“So they will miss Rishabh Pant. I think that is a massive loss. Um, not playing this game, Axar Patel will captain. And for me, that will be the point of difference between the two sides. So I think RCB will sneak over the line. I think, as I said, they're hugely confident at the moment and they'll be dragged along by that home crowd," he added.

Pant was suspended for one game and was also fined INR 30 lakh for his side’s over-rate offence in their recent game against Rajasthan Royals. It is worth noting that Pant’s performances have been crucial to the Delhi Capitals’ revival in the IPL 2024. 

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The side lost several games in the early stages of the season, but through some changes in the lineup and the introduction of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abhishek Porel in the top-order, DC have been flying through the gears, and they will hope that their performances can continue against RCB as well.