IPL match preview: Delhi Capitals v Royal Challengers Bangalore

Delhi will go into this match on the back of three wins in their last four matches. They've enjoyed a resurgence of sorts after taking a long time to get their first win, but it might be a case of too little, too late. This is effectively a must-win match for the Capitals.

Delhi are going to have to try win without fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. He has left the tournament to play for Bangladesh. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh missed the Capitals' previous match due to illness, but should be back for this one.

Bangalore, like Delhi, have won three of their last four matches. They have put some inconsistency behind them and dug up some genuine momentum heading into the business end of the tournament. Now it's time to make it all count.

As ever, Bangalore need to be aware of their familiar failings and improve on these. This centres around not relying on Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell for the bulk of the runs. If the trio don't fire in entirety or part, the other batsmen need to step up.

The Royal Challengers have a dominant record against the Capitals. Bangalore have won all four of their last four meetings with Delhi. The Capitals have not beaten Bangalore since 2020.

RCB have drafted Kedar Jadhav into the squad as a replacement for the injured David Willey. They've effectively replaced a bowler with a batsman. Jadhav could slot straight into the XI to bolster the support for Kohli, du Plessis and Maxwell.

Proteas pace ace Anrich Nortje remains a big asset for Delhi. He'll likely take the new ball - and would do well to vary his speed in conditions that will likely suit pace off the ball. That said, Nortje's faster stuff should have a solid impact as well.

Both teams have won three of their last four matches, but it's the Royal Challengers Bangalore that are looking the most convincing. Probable defeat for Delhi will likely all but rule them out of play-off contention.