IPL match preview: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Capitals

Bangalore and Delhi have collectively won just one match in seven attempts this IPL season. They're hanging out toward the bottom of the table with the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Let's see which loser might become a victor - for this match, at least.

The Royal Challengers will go into this match on the back of a one-wicket defeat in a high-scoring affair against the Lucknow Super Giants. Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Faf du Plessis performed well with the bat, but there was not enough from the RCB bowlers.

Regardless, the Capitals will be challenged by a Bangalore bowling attack that now includes left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell. He's proving a solid replacement for the injured Reece Topley. David Warner is scoring plenty of runs for Delhi, but at too slow a rate. He needs to up the ante.

Delhi haven't gotten off the mark in the 2023 IPL. They've lost four in four. Speculative eyes might soon fall on Warner and his ability - or lack thereof - to lead this Capitals unit. Head coach Ricky Ponting wants more from his fellow Australian, obviously.

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have beaten the Delhi Capitals three times in their last five meetings. All three were consecutively across the 2021 and 202 IPL seasons.

South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has enjoyed a good campaign. His pace and pinpoint yorkers have been entertaining to watch, but not translated to wins for Delhi. Here's a big chance for the Proteas star to get his team on the board.

Mohammed Siraj and David Willey have been solid with the new ball for RCB. Their left- and right-arm approaches complement each other nicely. Delhi could find it tough against these two, in particular, in quicker Bengaluru conditions.

Bangalore will likely consign Delhi to their fifth consecutive defeat in the 2023 IPL. That'd make it four wins in a row over the Capitals for Kohli and company. RCB, remember, are still chasing a maiden IPL title after losing three finals.