RCB look to get wobbling campaign back on track
Preview of the match between Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Delhi
Match facts
May 10, 2013Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)
Big Picture
When Royal Challengers Bangalore left the comforts of home about a fortnight ago, they had won six games out of eight, were at the top end of the points table and were considered a shoo-in for the playoffs. In the four matches since, they have lost three times. As a result, they've dropped to the crowded middle of the table and have a growing list of doubters. Delhi is the second-to-last stop on their road trip, before they head to the newest venue on the IPL map, Ranchi, and then it's back home for two games to finish the league stage. They will want to score points in their final two matches on the road, not just to shore up their chances of a playoff spot but to boost their confidence ahead of those big games, none of which will be at the Chinnaswamy.Form guide
Royal Challengers Bangalore: LWLLW (most recent first)Delhi Daredevils: LLWWL
Players to watch
Virat Kohli is being groomed for the Indian captaincy. This tournament is his first stint in charge of a senior team, and if this was a yardstick to judge where his leadership skills stand at the moment, he has probably been found wanting in handling the mental side of things until now. He had that ugly spat with India team-mate Gautam Gambhir early in the tournament, he let the Wankhede crowd get to him, he dropped that key catch - was there a touch of complacency as the expert fielder lined up with Miller's skier? - in the Kings XI game and was then seen arguing with umpire about a questionable no-ball in the midst of onslaught. Like his team, Kohli, too, faces the bigger pressure tests as this tournament progresses. He'll need to keep a tight rein on his emotions if he's to come out on top in them.Stats and Trivia
- Royal Challengers and Daredevils have faced off 10 times in the IPL, with Daredevils winning 5 times, Royal Challengers winning 4 times, and 1 tie (their previous encounter this year, in which Royal Challengers won the Super Over). However, Daredevils last beat Royal Challengers in IPL 2010
- Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli have the second-highest partnership in T20 cricket - an unbeaten 204 - and it came against Daredevils, in Delhi, last year
Quotes
"Twenty20 cricket is about one big score, one big partnership. We have not done that consistently."Daredevils' coach Eric Simons analyses his team's shortcomings this season
Nikita Bastian is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo