Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore: FAQs

Delhi Capitals beat RCB comprehensively by 59 runs to top the IPL table. To make this article more interesting than the match, we are trying a new format to bring out our analysis of the game and the state of each team. Read through the FAQs I had and which you may have too.

1) Did this RCB team really be at the top of the table?

Yes, they were for a brief period of time. I am as surprised as you are.

2) Why did Kohli opt to bowl after winning the toss when teams batting first are clearly having an upper hand?

In Dubai, out of the 9 IPL games held prior to this game, only one team has won chasing. That was CSK, barely 24 hours ago (time may vary based on when you are reading this). Maybe Kohli felt he could replicate CSK’s victory.

3) Does Prithvi Shaw remind you of Sachin or Sehwag?

More Sehwag than Sachin because he provides an explosive opening knock.

4) How did RCB manage to screw up after decently bowling the first 10 overs?

The decency was because of Washington Sundar who just 20 runs in his 4 overs. The leakage, which lead to DC scoring 196 runs was because of Saini and Chahal being uncharacteristically expensive. Mo Siraj, however, was uncharacteristically economical.

5) Has RCB’s death bowling improved?

Yes. They just conceded 106 runs in the last 8 overs of DC’s innings. If this was last year, this number would have been 120-130.

6) How key is Stoinis to DC?

In more ways than you can imagine. He is their finisher and their 6th bowling option. His patchy form coming into the IPL has transformed ever since he singlehandedly won DC’s first game vs Punjab.

7) Was DC’s bowling too strong or was RCB’s batting too weak?

Both. Rabada rattled Finch’s confidence and wily Ashwin removed Padikkal. RCB lost the chase when ABD threw his wicket away to Nortje. Axar later choked Kohli and Moeen.

8) Was Finch trying to ask ABD to come to the crease early?

It seemed like that but DC did not want that to happen. They dropped two gifts which Finch gave, only to eventually get him out for 13 runs.

9) Is RCB back to being RCB?

No. This is probably the most balanced RCB team I have ever seen. Two or three bad decisions and their best bowlers having an off day cost them the game today.

10) Is DC the team to beat?

Yes. They undoubtedly have the best bowling in the tournament and their batting rarely fails. As a team, they have gelled very well with each player exactly knowing his role (flashback early 2000s Australia).