Last Updated on 7 days by Charbel Coorey
IPL 2019: RCB vs DC Preview Dream11 Prediction. Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals Preview Dream11 Prediction
Do-or-die for the home side before the halfway mark of IPL 2019?
It is new season, same story for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Their batting has disappointed at stages in IPL 2019, but their bowling has disappointed even more. Bar Yuzvendra Chahal, no bowler is looking confident, with Tim Southee and Mohammad Siraj going the distance against KKR. Their reliance on Kohli and de Villiers, as well as year-after-year confusion over the make up of their bowling attack, continues to haunt them. With nine games to go, RCB have to win at least seven. Can they get their first today?
Delhi Capitals could very well be top of the league right now. Instead, they sit sixth. The way their middle order has performed has been poor, and except for Shreyas Iyer, no one is delivering as consistently as they should. A move away from the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium might do DC a favour, as their hard-hitting batsmen and impressive fast bowling attack might enjoy the conditions at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Will they consign RCB to six defeats in IPL 2019?
Key to a RCB win
RCB, needing seven wins out of nine to qualify, are almost out of IPL 2019. However, MI recovered from the same position to win the tournament in 2014, so can RCB make a run to the playoffs?
- With their fast bowling really struggling, RCB could be well served playing an extra spinner. The talented Washington Sundar has not been given a chance yet, and RCB could benefit from taking the pace off the ball against Delhi. A trio of Yuzvendra Chahal, Pawan Negi and Sundar?
- Who is RCB’s big pinch hitter in the top order? Virat Kohli is a magnificent strokemaker, but so much rests on him. Same with AB de Villiers. Marcus Stoinis, who looked very good with the bat last game, should be sent to open and play with total freedom.
- An attacking approach in the powerplay. RCB’s death bowling is nothing short of horrible, failing to execute their plans in the final overs. So, one wonders if Umesh Yadav will return today, with he and Southee to look for wickets up top. Will Kohli be inclined to attack DC’s openers and top order with a slip or two?
Of course, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, who have been excellent in Bengaluru this season, will be key again. However, can Parthiv Patel score quicker? Also, who will support Yuzvendra Chahal with the ball?

Key to a DC win
DC’s side on paper is certainly not poor as some of stats show. They just haven’t been able to hold their nerve when needed. Colin Ingram has shown good form, but just hasn’t been able to finish the job. The same applies to Rishabh Pant. Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer have threatened to go really big consistently, so how well they take on responsibility will be key. Of course, amid all that, the form of Shikhar Dhawan has to improve, considering he has hit 152 runs at a modest SR of 116.92. Can DC set up a strong platform and then launch against RCB’s struggling death bowling?
Also, DC’s bowlers have shown plenty of encouraging signs in IPL 2019. Kagiso Rabada has been in fine touch, and he will be crucial at the top and at the death. But, the crucial battle will be between Sandeep Lamichhane, Rahul Tewatia and RCB’s batsmen. RCB have struggled against wristspin, and if those two are able to find some turn either way, DC could be in business. The wickets of Kohli and de Villiers will be crucial, so can DC combine well as a unit to restrict RCB at a ground where they usually score big?

Possible Playing 11
What will RCB do now? With their batting going well vs KKR, they could stick with the same order, even though they would be well served sending Stoinis up the order as a pinch hitter. However, the biggest concern is their bowling, so it remains to be seen what combination they go with.
RCB: 1. Parthiv Patel (wk), 2. Virat Kohli, 3. AB de Villiers, 4. Marcus Stoinis, 5. Moeen Ali, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Akshdeep Nath, 8. Mohammed Siraj/Washington Sundar, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Navdeep Saini/Umesh Yadav, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal
DC could stick with the same team that had a disappointing outing against SRH. It is worth giving their batsmen a go at RCB’s struggling attack on a good batting pitch.
DC: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Rishabh Pant (wk), 5. Colin Ingram, 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Ishant Sharma, 11. Sandeep Lamichhane
Dream11 Prediction
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Key stats and points:
- Rishabh Pant against RCB’s struggling death bowling is a dangerous option (whether DC bat first or second). His scores vs RCB: 1, 57, 45, 85 and 61.
- Shikhar Dhawan averages 48.2 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL.
- Virat Kohli has scored 761 runs vs DC at 69.18.
- AB de Villiers at Bengaluru this season: 70* (41) and 63 (32). He scored 90* (39) vs DC at Bengaluru last season. His overall record vs DC: 396 runs at 79.20 with SR of 174.44.
- Shreyas Iyer in IPL 2019: 16, 18, 43, 28, 43.
- Rahul Tewatia and Sandeep Lamichhane could be key weapons against RCB, who struggle against legspin. What impact will they have on a good Bengaluru batting pitch?
- Kagiso Rabada has seven wickets in five matches this season.
- Yuzvendra Chahal continues to take wickets (nine this season).
Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 21, RCB 14, DC 6, NR 1
- Since 2011, RCB have totally dominated DC. They have won 13 of 14 completed matches.
- RCB had a win probability of 88% with 11 balls to go vs KKR.
- Colin Ingram needs 35 runs to reach 6,000 in T20s.
Match Prediction
Despite RCB’s strong record over DC, anything can happen in this one.
I am on a streak of six correct predictions in a row, so I’m hoping RCB don’t let me down! I believe they will win this game on the back of Kohli and de Villiers, leveraging off their great record vs DC in recent years.
Thanks for reading!