RCB and DC Ready to Light Up IPL 2025
It’s all set to explode in Bengaluru as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against Delhi Capitals (DC) in a high-stakes IPL 2025 showdown. Both sides are flying high—DC have a flawless 3-0 record, while RCB have won three out of four. With elite talent on both sides, this isn’t just another league match—it’s a test of nerve, skill, and strategy.
RCB have proven their adaptability, chalking up wins in Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai. Their only misstep? A surprise loss at home to Gujarat Titans, thanks to an unpredictable Chinnaswamy pitch. That slip might work in their favor now, providing key insights ahead of this clash with a well-rounded Delhi squad that’s won on diverse surfaces themselves.
Kohli vs Starc and Kuldeep: Fireworks Incoming
Virat Kohli’s return to form could be the difference-maker. The veteran batter will face a double threat: Mitchell Starc with the new ball and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs. Kohli has dominated Starc in the past—72 runs off 31 balls—but the Aussie quick is on fire this season with 9 wickets in 3 games at an average of 11.
Should Kohli dig in, a fascinating contest with Kuldeep awaits. The spinner, armed with variety and guile, has bagged 6 wickets at an economy of 6. But Kohli’s evolved T20 approach, featuring sweeps and lofted hits, makes this battle one to watch.
DC’s Spinners vs RCB’s Core
Rajat Patidar, leading RCB, brings strong anti-spin credentials to the table. His presence amplifies the importance of Axar Patel, who’s yet to strike this season despite bowling just 8 overs across three matches. Delhi need more from their captain if they want to control the middle overs.
On the flip side, RCB’s pace attack—led by Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar—has kept things tight early on. Their mission: neutralize KL Rahul, who’s shifted gears this season, opting for impact over anchoring. If Faf du Plessis returns to open with Rahul, RCB’s bowlers will need to bring their A-game from ball one.
Team Lineups
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Delhi Capitals |
|---|---|
| Rajat Patidar (c), Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Abhinandan Singh, Romario Shepherd, Lungi Ngidi, Nuwan Thushara, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara | Axar Patel (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wk), Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Karun Nair, Donovan Ferreira, Tripurana Vijay, Darshan Nalkande, Dushmantha Chameera, KL Rahul, T Natarajan, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Manvanth Kumar L, Madhav Tiwari |
Match kicks off at 7:30 PM. Catch all IPL 2025 live updates, match highlights, and stats like Orange and Purple Cap standings only on Smartkhabrinews.