IPL 2018, DD vs RCB, Match 45: Preview, Predictions and Likely XIs

Match 45 of VIVO IPL 2018 will witness Delhi Daredevils (DD) host Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi. DD languish at the bottom of the points table, tied with RCB on points (6) but just behind on net run rate. Both teams are as good as out of contention, but mathematically they may still make it to the top four. If not to the Playoffs, DD and RCB would still be desperate to finishing their season on a high. The lack of pressure may bring out the best from both the dugouts.

Rishabh Pant set Kotla ablaze with scintillating strokeplay in DD’s last match, against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Coming out at 43 for 3, Pant slammed an outrageous 63-ball 128*. Pant’s last fifty came in 22 deliveries, including 26 runs off the last 5 balls of the innings, off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. DD added 135 in the last 10 overs.

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However, Pant’s 128* — the highest score by an Indian in T20s — wasn’t enough to keep DD going in the tournament. An ordinary bowling performance and a brilliant return-to-form innings from local lad Shikhar Dhawan ensured another SRH win. DD had their best chance to test their rusty lower order but could manage a solitary wicket. In addition, skipper Kane Williamson slammed his sixth fifty of the season to confirm SRH further qualification.

RCB are also coming on the back of a defeat against SRH. They needed only 147 after Tim Southee and Mohammed Siraj’s bowled brilliantly at the death. However, their tall batting line-up fell like ninepins against Bhuvi and co. A 5-win defeat prompted skipper Virat Kohli to admit “we were not good enough and not up to the mark.”

Predictions: As mentioned, It is a must-win encounter for both sides as they can make it to the Playoffs. Expect another high-scoring game at Kotla with the likes of Pant, Kohli, AB de Villiers, Brendon McCullum, Colin de Grandhomme, Quinton de Kock, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, and Jason Roy making good use of the long handle.

DD likely XI: Prithvi Shaw, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Jason Roy, Vijay Shankar, Harshal Patel, Amit Mishra, Sandeep Lamichhane, Trent Boult, Shahbaz Nadeem/Mohammed Shami

RCB likely XI

Quinton de Kock (wk)/Brendon McCullum, Parthiv Patel (wk), Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers, Mandeep Singh, Colin de Grandhomme/Chris Woakes, Tim Southee, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Murugan Ashwin