IPL 9, Match 56 Preview: Delhi Daredevils aim to claim spoils

Match 56 of the IPL 9 will not only be the final group match to play but also will be an immensely important fixture in the context of the playoff rounds. While the Royal Challengers are smashing record after record, the Delhi Daredevils breathed life into their dying IPL season courtesy of some Karun Nair brilliance. The Challengers, however, are barely a few inches ahead of the Daredevils thanks to their bulging net run-rate. In a nutshell, it will be all to play for as these sides meet at the massive Raipur stadium.

Team News-

Delhi Daredevils:

A win against the Sunrisers Hyderabad will certainly do wonders to boost the morale of the Delhi Daredevils. Karun Nair in particular, was at his lethal best as he secured the runs in the final over of the match that would eventually keep the Daredevils in with a fighting chance. However, apart from Nair, the Daredevils were supremely impressive in the field, something that hasn’t really hit the limelight of their campaign this season.

Carlos Brathwaite’s all-around performance in the win against the Sunrisers saw him pip Chris Morris for the spot in the playing XI. It is also highly unlikely that Morris will make his way back into the scheme of things with the Daredevils management hoping not to upset the winning combination.

However, despite all of that, Zaheer Khan and his men will certainly be up against it when they face up to the might of the Royal Challengers. The bigger grounds are more conducive for players such as AB de Villiers, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to thrive, especially given the fact that they are brisk runners between the wickets. Yuzvendra Chahal’s off spin will also pose a serious threat.

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are on a high following their massive win against the Kings XI Punjab. Although it is just individual brilliance that has got them to where they are, one cannot help but think that the bowling attack has clicked once again. Despite the absence of Mitchell Starc, the Challengers have managed to bowl out their opposition on the last two occasions.

While this is the first time we have entered the final stages of the tournament with more than 5 teams having a chance at qualification, a massive net run-rate in certainly in favor of the Challengers. Moreover, the form of one Mr. Virat Kohli is something spectacular. 835 runs in barely 14 matches are something no one has ever heard of. In addition, it seems as though AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle to have found their form, making the RCB batting look near-invincible.

While the batting has been something to the witness of late, the bowling too has quite effectively come of age. Chris Jordan’s addition to the side along with Yuzvendra Chahal’s renaissance in the bowling department has seen a complete turnaround in the RCB camp.

Probable XI-

Delhi Daredevils:

Zaheer Khan (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Sanju Samson, Carlos Brathwaite, JP Duminy, Amit Mishra, Jayant Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Nathan Coulter-Nile/Chris Morris

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Virat Kohli (C), KL Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Shane Watson, Stuart Binny, Sachin Baby, Yuzvendra Chahal, Chris Jordan, Iqbal Abdullah, Sreenath Aravind

StAttack:

1. Virat Kohli needs 135 runs to become the first player to score 1000 runs in an IPL season. He already has the aggregate of 835 runs, the highest in the IPL thus far.

2. Yuzvendra Chahal has the highest wicket tally for the RCB this season with 16 wickets. He has equaled Mitchell Starc’s record.