IPL 2023: 3 Key Match-Ups to Watch-Out in RCB VS DC Match No.20

IPL 2023: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will host Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 20 of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (April 15). The two teams have met each other on 29 occasions so far on the battlefield with RCB winning 18 times while DC claiming 10 wins and one match getting washed out. 

After winning the first match, RCB has now lost their last two games and one of them came to their home in Bengaluru. Hence, they are in the seventh position as compared to the visiting team’s last position. The bowling department of the team has been a major worry for the team this season, especially the death bowling. RCB bowlers are doing their job with the new ball but it’s the death overs, where the team is losing the game. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis are in great form, and they will again try to give the team a solid start. Glenn Maxwell also announced his arrival in the tournament in style in the last game.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals remain the only winless team in the tournament, having lost four games on the trot. DC is still in search of their first win in the tournament. Captain David Warner is scoring runs, but his strike rate is a major concern for the side. The balance of the side is completely off and they are still unsure of their best-playing XI. Mitchell Marsh is expected to be back on the team. The upcoming RCB VS DC game is going to be a very crucial match for the Capitals. 

IPL 2023: Top Player Battles to Keep an Eye on in RCB VS DC Game:

3) Glenn Maxwell vs Axar Patel

Glenn Maxwell struck a brilliant 59 in his previous outing versus Bengaluru. Taking the advantage of the short boundaries, Maxwell went all guns blazing. The Australian all-rounder is returning after an injury layoff. He struggled for timing in the starting few games but it was a matter of one shot finding the ropes. He would be raring to replicate his heroics against his former team. Axar Patel will look to dent his plans.

Although Chinnaswamy is a tough place to bowl as a spinner still Axar will fancy his chances against Maxwell which is due to the poor record of the Aussie against the left-arm spinner in 20-over cricket. DC spin bowling all-rounder, Axar has dismissed Maxwell only once in international cricket but yet to get Maxwell’s wicket in his IPL career.

2) David Warner vs Mohammed Siraj

The battle of two heavyweights in the powerplay overs can certainly be enticing. Delhi Capitals skipper David Warner has scored 209 runs this season and he is one of the top run-getters in the tournament at a modest strike rate of 114.83. Heading into this game he will be confident as Bengaluru has been a happy hunting ground. He has racked up 453 runs at a strike rate of 168.40 from eight T20 games at this venue.

On a brilliant batting wicket, Warner would love to get off the blocks quickly, and eyeing his wicket will be none other than Mohammed Siraj.  The right-arm seamer operates with the new ball and he will look to dismiss the DC skipper cheaply. While Warner will be looking to impose himself on Siraj. In four IPL meetings, Warner has fallen prey to him only once. However, he has accumulated runs at a blistering strike rate of 182.60

IPL 2023: 1) Axar Patel vs Harshal Patel 

In the last game when all the specialist batters of the Capitals camp seemed to be struggling, especially after the powerplay, was not easy, Axar Patel smashed his maiden IPL fifty- 54 off 25 balls after coming into bat at number 7. Axar smacked 5 sixes and 4 fours in a 67-run stand with captain David Warner. At the same venue, he smashed 36 runs off 22 balls against Gujarat Titans.

Now even if Axar earns a much-deserved batting promotion then also he is most likely to come in middle or death overs where he will face off against RCB’s slog overs specialist Harshal Patel. The two haven’t faced each other much in the IPL as Axar has accumulated 16 runs off 11 deliveries against him. However, Harshal’s economy rate of 9.59 against left-handed batters in the IPL is a touch higher than expected.