IPL 9, Match 11 Preview: Royal Challengers Bangalore aim to keep momentum going

The Royal Challengers Bangalore began their 2016 Indian Premier League campaign with a resounding win over a hapless Sunrisers Hyderabad. Needless to say that the RCB squad this time out looks stronger than ever, especially with the transfers that have taken place in the auction. However, the morale will certainly be high in the Delhi Daredevils camp courtesy of their win over the Kings XI Punjab. Thus, it will be an encounter between the experience and the finesse of the Royal Challengers against the youth and exuberance of the Daredevils.

Team News

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

The RCB camp will be on a high. After having thrashed the Sunrisers, the mood will certainly be one that of enjoyment and jovialness. Moreover, the star-studded lineup of the Challengers boasts of massive names beyond that of just Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. AB de Villiers has seemingly found some form with the bat after having a traumatic World T20 campaign with the Proteas. Shane Watson’s tryst with international retirement too seems to be going on as well as ever with immense contributions with both bat and ball.

However, among all those stars, the spotlight will be on a sinister 27-year old by the name Parvez Rasool. The Kashmir-born batsman showed his class and quality with the ball by putting a stop to the hemorrhage of runs from the bat of David Warner. In spite of getting a thrashing in his final over, Rasool’s contribution was immense to the team’s cause. His variations in lengths and speeds make it almost impossible for the batsmen to pick him.

Delhi Daredevils:

A resounding win over the Kings XI Punjab saw a traumatic loss at the hands of the Kolkata Knight Riders a mere memory. While the first match would have sent out the message that the Daredevils are a confused, youthful; and aimless team, the second one showed a team with a perfect blend of youth and experience. However, despite that, a few gaping holes in the Daredevils lineup remain.

The batting department looks rather, incomplete without the presence of JP Duminy in the ranks. The average age of the Delhi top order is 23 including the likes of Pawan Negi. They will, therefore, need a minor miracle to pull off a win against a strong RCB side on paper.

Probable XI-

Royal Challengers:

Virat Kohli (C), Kedar Jadhav (wk), Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Sarfaraz Khan, Shane Watson, Stuart Binny, Parvez Rasool, Kane Richardson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel

Delhi Daredevils:

Zaheer Khan (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, Carlos Brathwaite, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chris Morris, Amit Mishra, Pawan Negi, Shreyas Iyer

Stattack:

1. RCB and DD have played each other on 15 occasions, where the Challengers have won 10 of those encounters.

2. Three of the DD wins against the Royal Challengers have come at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. However, the Daredevils haven’t won in Bangalore since the 25th of March 2010.