Hello All,
Welcome to Match 55 of IPL 2020. It’s DC vs RCB. Both the teams were sitting pretty at the top 3 but both have run in a string of losses. DC having lost the last 4 and RCB their last 3 matches en-route to this game. The winner will qualify with the second spot while the losing team not necessarily out of the contention as well. DC, RCB, KKR and SRH all looking for a place in the top-4. MI are the only team that has qualified. It’s 3 places and 4 teams and 2 matches remaining. Both teams would be aiming to make it to the Top-2 for having a cushion. Both teams are still unsure of their playing 11 and will look for a perfect one tonight.
It’s toss time here at Abu Dhabi, the DC captain calls it right and they have decided to bowl first. DC make three changes- Ajinkya Rahane, Axar Patel and Daniel Sams are in. For RCB, two changes- Dube replaces Gurkeerat and Shahbaz Ahmed in place of Saini.
IPL 2020: MATCH 55- DC vs RCB
Live from- Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Time- 7:30 IST
Broadcast- Star Sports Network (1 English) and (3 Hindi) and Disney+hotstar for online streaming.
Umpires- Chris Gaffaney & Sundaram Ravi 3rd umpire- Virender Sharma
Match official- Manu Nayyar.
Teams:
Delhi Capitals (DC): Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Sams, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Josh Philippe, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli (c), AB de Villiers (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Philippe and Devdutt Padikkal to open for RCB. Daniel Sams will open the attack for DC. Starts on the money with some inward movement. Two singles and a double is concluded with two dots from the first and RCB are 4/0 after 1. Ashwin will partner Sams. Bowls a tight line and length. Just 6 runs from it. RCB are taking a cautious start, 10/0 after 2. Sams to continue starts with a wide. A dot and then Philippe pulls one over mid-off for the first boundary. Two dots and then Philippe takes a single. A dot to end the third. RCB are 16/0 after 3.
Anrich Nortje is introduced in the attack and Philippe takes a single. Dev then gets an over-pitched delivery and it’s one bounce to the fence over extra cover for a boundary. A dot and then Dev again lofts one over extra cover but no proper connection this time they settle for 3. A dot and single to end the over. 9 runs from it. RCB are 25/0 after 4.
Rabada is brought in the attack and gets straight into business- gets Philippe off his first. Philippe’s scratchy inning has come to an end. Tried to play the lofted drive but only manages to slice it straight up and Shaw takes a good catch running backwards. Virat Kohli walks in at 3. A dot and then Dev lifts one over the point for another boundary. A play and a miss the next. Two singles to finish the over and RCB are 31/1 after 5.
Nortje returns and starts well with two dots as Kohli misses out on the drive. Finally gets in the drive and a boundary through the extra-cover region. Takes a single off the next and then Dev gets in a boundary through behind square on the off-side. A dot to end the powerplay. 9 runs from it and RCB are 40/1 after 6.
Ashwin to continue and Kohli takes a single. Dev gets into action and cuts hard through the gap of short third man and backward point for a boundary. Two dots and then a single and a dot to end the over. Just 6 runs from it. RCB are 46/1 after 7. Axar Patel is introduced in the attack and bowls a tight over, just 6 singles from it. Ashwin to continue bowls well and tight lines to go with. Just 4 singles from the over. Pressure mounting on RCB. They are 56/1 after 9.
Time of a strategic-timeout between DC vs RCB. DC are surely ahead at the moment. The spinners have not given any loose balls and maintained the pressure on RCB batsmen. RCB have again taken the go cautious route. Hopefully they can score at a brisker rate in the coming overs. Axar returns, just 3 singles from four balls. Kohli then puts on his dancing shoes tries to loft the ball over long-on but no proper connection and straight to
Nortje but he has dropped it! Would you believe that, it was as easy as it gets. Would this prove a costly drop? A single taken. RCB are 60/1 after 10.
Rabada is brought back in the attack and Kohli gives the charge- Swings and misses. The next ball middles it and it goes over extra cover for a boundary. four singles to end the over. 8 runs from it. RCB are 68/1 after 11. Axar to continue and starts with a dot. Dev then plays the lap shot over keepers head and 3 runs the end result. Two singles later, Kohli again dances down the track and this time hits it high and handsome for a maximum. A double to end the over also brings up the 50-run partnership between the pair. 13 runs from it, just what RCB needed. 81/1 after 12.
Ashwin to bowl his final over starts with a dot. The next ball a different action and Dev takes a single. The next ball Ashwin gets the big wicket- Kohli has to depart. Kohli again dances down the track and tries to clear cow corner but Stoinis in the deep judges the ball and takes a good catch to bring the curtain down for Kohli’s inning. Nortje would be a relieved man after the dropped catch. Virat departs after getting a start. DC are pumped. AB walks in at 4. Just a single to end the over and just 2 runs from it. RCB are 83/2 after 13. Ashwin finishes with 1/18.
Axar to bowl his final over. Huge appeal for LBW but no review. Axar keeps it simple and tight. Just two doubles and three singles from the over. RCB are 90/2 after 14. Axar ends with 0/30. Sams is back in the attack, three singles and a double later he bowls back to back wides. Then bowls a short one and Dev helps it over the infield for a boundary through fine leg. Takes a double off the last ball and gets another 50. 5th IPL 50 this season for Dev. Certainly up for the emerging player award. RCB are 103/2 after 15.
Timeout is taken between DC vs RCB. RCB have again failed to up the ante in the middle overs. The only positive is that AB is set and Dev just reached his 50 can get going and get RCB to a decent total. DC have bowled well especially their spin duo of Axar and Ashwin. Final 5 coming up. Nortje to continue AB takes a double. The next ball… Bang straight-six there bounced directly on the cushion. Takes a single off the next. Nortje then cleans Dev up. Full and straight, Dev swings and misses and Nortje hits the stumps.
Morris gets a promotion, a dot and then last ball Nortje bangs one short at full speed and Morris moving forward only manages to nick one to Pant and he departs for a duck! Expensive at the start but then 2 crucial wickets to end the over and RCB in a spot here. Morris departs and RCB are 112/4 after 16.
Rabada comes in to bowl his third and just 5 singles from it. Excellent bowling this from the purple cap holder. RCB are 117/4 after 17. Sams to bowl his final. AB greets him with a boundary through wide long-off. Takes a single the next ball. A dot and the Dube connects one and it’s hit in the cow corner for half a dozen. Takes 2 from long-off. The final ball waits for the short ball and gets a boundary through deep mid-wicket. 17 runs coming from that over. Much needed over for RCB. RCB are 134/4 after 18.
Rabada to bowl his final and AB gets going with a maximum. Full toss on the pads and half a dozen over deep square leg. A single of the next. A dot and then hits one over the covers for a boundary. A dot later, Dube pulls one- was in the slot but hits it straight to Rahane at deep mid-wicket. A small cameo from Dube comes to an end. RCB are 145/5 after 19. Sundar walks in at 7.
Nortje to bowl the final. Starts with a dot. The next ball hit straight to long-on and AB wanting to retain strike goes for the double but a good throw from Rahane sees AB short of his crease. Disaster for RCB, AB has to depart. Udana walks in at 8 and loft one over mid-off for a boundary. Some shot that from Udana. Nortje bowls another short ball, Udana tries the same shot again but hits it straight to Iyer who just move him to long-off after the last boundary. Two runs to finish the innings. RCB end with 152/7 after 20. Nortje ends with 3/33.
Well, again the same story observed by RCB from the last three matches. Decent start and then the innings going nowhere. Philippe departed early. Kohli and Dev stitched a partnership but it had no spark. Kohli then gets out. AB and Dev tried their best but could not get going. DC kept chipping with the wickets at regular intervals and restricted RCB to a below-par score. Rabada and Nortje shared 5 wickets between them while Ashwin and Axar stopped the flow of runs in the middle overs. So, 153 needed for DC to win and get the 2nd spot. RCB would like to bowl out DC before that.
Qualification scenario: Bring in your calculators-
DC would need to score at least 134 runs if they lose today to keep their NRR ahead of KKR.
RCB would need DC to bat at least 17.3 overs if they lose today to keep their NRR ahead of KKR.
Prithvi Shaw and Dhawan are at the middle to open the innings for DC. Chris Morris will open the attack for RCB. Shaw gets off with a single. Morris bowls a wide full toss and Dhawan creams it through the covers for a boundary. Nearly chops on the next ball and gets two to fine leg. Morris comes round the wicket and Dhawan leans on for another drive and another boundary to him. Two dots to end the first. DC are 11/0 after 1.
Siraj to partner Morris and Shaw welcomes him with a boundary- on the pads and Shaw plays it through square leg for a boundary. A dot the next and then plays one through the gap of mid-wicket and mid-on for another boundary. Superb shot that form Shaw. A dot and then Siraj bowls a beauty to get rid of Shaw. On the length, moves a tad after pitching and hits top of off. A bowlers dream and a batsman’s nightmare. Rahane come in at 3. A dot to end the over. DC are 19/1 after 2.
Morris to continue and Dhawan greets him with another boundary. Poor bowling this from Morris. Returns with a dot, three singles and a double off the last to end the third. DC are 28/1 after 3. Siraj to continue and he too is greeted with a boundary. Too full from Siraj, no swing and Dhawan creams it straight down the ground for a boundary. Corrects his mistake and then just gives 2 singles from the rest. DC reach 34/1 after 4.
Sundar is introduced in the attack and starts off with a dot. Rahane then plays the sweep to perfection and gets a boundary. 4 singles to end the over. 8 runs from it. Udana is introduced in the attack, Dhawan takes a single. The next ball Rahane punches one through the covers for a boundary, Elegance written all over that shot. A dot and then plays one down the ground a bit uppish and beats the mid-off fielder and into the fence. Some shot that seemed just a push or a forward defensive push and beats the in-ring fielder. Two singles to end the over. 11 runs from it. DC are 53/1 after 6.
Time out taken- DC vs RCB: A great start there from DC. Dhawan after missing out on his last 2 games has made a brilliant comeback. They lost Shaw early but Rahane has managed to keep the scoreboard ticking along. RCB would need to get in more wickets if they have to restrict DC tonight. Chahal is introduced in the attack after the break. Starts with three singles from his 4 balls. Rahane then sweeps one and places it to perfection for a boundary. A double to end the over. DC are 62/1 after 7. Sundar to continue just gives 4 runs from it. Another tidy over from him.
Chahal to resume and Rahane takes a single off the first. Dhawan then goes down on one knee and slogs sweeps one to the boundary. Two singles and two dots to end the over. DC are 73/1 after 9. Also bringing up the 50-run partnership between the duo.
Sundar to continue and keeps up with the good work. Stump to stump bowling and some poor fielding from RCB sees singles converted to doubles. In the end, 4 singles and 2 doubles to end the over. 8 runs from it and DC are 81/1 at the halfway stage.
Shahbaz Ahmed is introduced in the attack. He starts off well. Just 5 runs from the over. Udana is brought back in. Two singles to start the over. Then Dhawan flicks one down the leg and fetches himself a boundary and another 50 for him. Takes a double and a single the next 2 balls. Final ball in and Rahane plays one over the extra-cover for a boundary. Almost went all the distance. Top shot that from Rahane. DC are 99/1 after 12.
Shahbaz Ahmed to continue. Dhawan take a single. Rahane then dances down the track and gets closer to the ball and lifts it straight and high and gets the distance over long-off for a maximum. Takes a single off the next. Dhawan tries to be cheeky by playing the lap shot but the bowler follows him and it hits his toe end of the bat and a simple catch to Dube at short fine. A soft dismissal this. DC captain comes it at 4. Two singles to end the over and DC are 109/2 after 13.
Chahal to resume and DC take no chances against him. 6 singles from that over. DC are making this run-chase look so easy. DC are 115/2 after 14. Shahbaz Ahmed to resume and bowling a tight line gives away just 6 runs from it and another 50 for Rahane in IPL. His first this season, couldn’t have come at a better moment for him and DC. Chahal to bowl his final and again DC just gets through with Chahal’s over. Just 7 runs from it and DC are 128/2 after 16 and Chahal is wicketless again just for the second time this IPL 0/29.
Okay so another Strategic Timeout in the match between DC vs RCB. RCB are almost not gonna win this game but if they are gonna lose then make DC bat up till the 17.3 over mark. Meaning not letting DC score the last 25 runs off 9 balls to keep their playoff hopes alive. DC have an easy win under their belt unless something tragic happens. Shahbaz Ahmed to bowl his last over. Rahane takes a single and a wide off the next ball. Iyer tries to take on Shahbaz, hits it well enough but not enough to clear the man at long-off. Iyer departs and RCB get another. Pant comes in and 4 singles to end the over.
Well DC have completed the runs needed to qualify for the playoffs. RCB need to handle the next 4 balls. Ball is handed to Sundar. Rahane gets a double to start the over. The next ball tries the reverse lap out of the blue but only manages to get a top edge and straight to Dube at short third man. Rahane gifts his wicket away. Stoinis comes in the crease and starts off with a single. A dot the next ball and RCB have also qualified for the playoffs. A single and a dot to end the over. Just 4 from it and DC are 138/4 after 18.
Siraj is brought back into the attack. 15 needed from 12 balls. Starts off with a wide. Pant takes a single off the next. Siraj then bowls one short, Stoinis pulls it but not from the middle of the bat but still just manages to get it over Chahal at deep square. Extra height for Chahal might have reached him for the catch. Stoinis get a maximum. Virat is not pleased with that effort from Chahal. Another wide down leg. A double and a single later Siraj bowls another short one, Pant goes after it- Top edged and a boundary over AB. DC get the win and get to 16 points. RCB even after the loss qualify due to a superior NRR.
Well, DC made easy work of RCB. With the win they finish second and play the Qualifier 1 against MI. RCB on the other hand will have mixed feelings. They lost the match but have just made it to the playoffs thanks to a superior run rate than KKR. It would be seen tomorrow whether RCB would be facing KKR or SRH if they beat MI for the Eliminator. Back to the game, DC got a solid start even after losing Shaw early. The experienced pair of Rahane and Dhawan came good. RCB tried their best with the spinners operating in the middle. Injury to Morris did not help their cause.
RCB were about 10/15 runs short in their innings again due to the lack of runs in the middle and losing wickets in a cluster, in the end, did not help their cause. DC would be happy to end their 4 matches losing streak and gain in confidence after this win. RCB on the other hand have their plates full. They now are on a 4 match losing streak. Hoping for better performance in the Eliminator.
Awards: Match 55- DC vs RCB
Ajinkya Rahane – Dream11 game-changer of the match.
AB de Villiers – Altroz super striker of the match.
AB de Villiers- Unacademy – Let’s crack it.
Devdutt Padikkal– Cred power player of the match.
Anrich Nortje – Man of the Match.
So finally after 55 games, we manage to get the three qualifying team spots out of the four. DC and RCB both made a mess of in the last 4 games but have somehow survived and both teams qualify in the end. RCB would think they have just managed to scrape through thanks to better NRR. They usually have found themselves at the receiving end of NRR but not this season. Reminding me of a dialogue from film Baazigar- Har ke jeetne wale ko baazigar kehte hai. Well, 3 more matches left for RCB to get the ultimate prize. Let’s take a look in the standings. For more IPL content click here.
Watch the Match Highlights of DC vs RCB here-
Stay tuned for Chapter 17… Eliminator 1 coming up next. Till then Happy Reading! Ciao.
Vivek Nair
