Nortje unavailable as Delhi Capitals face tough RCB test
RCB have not lost to Capitals since 2021, and another win will solidify their chances of a top-four finish
Big picture: Capitals need Warner firing
Delhi Capitals' problems start at the top. They are the second-slowest scorers (run rate of 7.68) in the powerplay and their opening pair averages a shade under 26. They are up against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are the most economical bowling team in the powerplay, with an economy of 7.29 to go with their 22 wickets.
Team news: Mustafizur away, Nortje out
Mustafizur Rahman has played only two matches in IPL 2023 for Capitals but has now left for Bangladesh's three-match ODI series against Ireland in Chemsford that starts next week. Mitchell Marsh missed Capitals' previous encounter due to illness and should be back if he has recovered.The big question
Form guide
Royal Challengers Bangalore WLWWL
Impact Player strategy
Phil Salt has three single-digit scores - two ducks included - on either side of his half-century. But Capitals are likely to persist with him at the top and continue with Khaleel Ahmed as their Impact Player if they bowl first. In Nortje's absence, Lungi Ngidi could make his first appearance of the season.
Depending on how much purchase there is on the surface, RCB could decide between Harshal Patel and Vijaykumar Vyshak as Impact Players. And they could use Jadhav to boost their batting if needed.
Stats and Trivia
- The Maxwell vs Kuldeep battle is interesting. Kuldeep has got the better of Maxwell in each of their four meetings, but Maxwell has scored 59 off the 22 balls with a strike rate of 268. That is the best strike-rate by any batter against Kuldeep in the IPL.
- Axar has dismissed du Plessis three times in T20s, the joint-most by any spinner. Du Plessis has scored 89 off the 81 balls he has faced against Axar.
- In IPL 2023, RCB have won four of their five matches batting first.
- Kohli averages 73 and strikes at 167 against pace this season. Among bowlers who have bowled at least 15 overs to right-handers in IPL 2023, Kuldeep (6.30) and Axar (6.34) have the best economy rate against them
Pitch and conditions
The average score first innings score this season in Delhi has been 165. The average winning score, though, goes up to 197. The pitch has tended to be on the quicker side with both pacers and spinners having something of interest. While fast bowlers have picked up 29 wickets as compared to spinners' 22, the pacers' economy rate has been over nine an over as opposed to the spinners' 6.7.
S Sudarshanan is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo