DC vs RCB, 46th Match, TATA IPL 2025

The 46th match of TATA IPL 2025 at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium sees Delhi Capitals (DC), led by Axar Patel, take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), captained by Rajat Patidar. DC, with 6 wins in 8 games and a strong home spin attack, aim to consolidate their second-place position. RCB, with 6 wins in 9 games and an unbeaten away record (5-0), ride on Virat Kohli’s form and Josh Hazlewood’s clutch bowling. DC’s 6-wicket win over RCB earlier this season (chasing 164) gives them confidence, but RCB’s historical edge (19-12 in 32 matches) and Kohli’s dominance at this venue (483 runs, avg 69) make this a blockbuster clash. Expect a high-scoring thriller, with DC’s spin duo (Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel) giving them a slight edge to chase 190–200 or defend a similar total for victory.

📊 Winning Probability

• Delhi Capitals (DC): 52% ✅

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): 48%

DC (52%): With 6 wins in 8 games (net run rate ~+0.400), DC’s batting, led by KL Rahul (323 runs, SR 153.80), and spin bowling (Kuldeep: 12 wickets, economy 6.3) are in top form. Their home record (1 win, 1 loss) is patchy, but their earlier win over RCB and spin-friendly conditions tilt the scales.
RCB (48%): With 6 wins in 9 games (net run rate ~+0.250), RCB’s unbeaten away streak (5-0) and Kohli’s venue mastery (SR 145.5) keep them competitive. However, their pacers’ high economy (10.2 runs/over) at Arun Jaitley and Phil Salt’s inconsistency are concerns.

If DC Bats First:

• Expected Total: 190–210 runs, driven by KL Rahul’s anchoring (SR ~153) and Tristan Stubbs’ finishing (SR ~160).

• Key Bowlers (RCB): Josh Hazlewood for death-over control, Krunal Pandya for middle-over wickets.

• Finishers to Watch: Stubbs (DC) for late hitting, Tim David (RCB) for counterattacks.

If RCB Bats First:

• Expected Total: 185–205 runs, anchored by Virat Kohli (avg 65.33) and Devdutt Padikkal’s aggression (SR ~150).

• Key Bowlers (DC): Kuldeep Yadav for spin choke, Mitchell Starc for early breakthroughs.

• Game Changers: Kohli’s big knock, Kuldeep’s middle-over wickets.

Delhi Capitals (DC):

Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera
Impact Player Options: Mohit Sharma (bowler), Tushar Deshpande (bowler).
Notes: DC may stick with Porel-Nair opening despite inconsistency. Mohit Sharma could replace Chameera if pace variation is needed.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):

Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal
Impact Player Options: Suyash Sharma (bowler), Anuj Rawat (batter).
Notes: Salt’s form is a concern, but RCB may retain him for powerplay aggression. Suyash Sharma could be used if the pitch favors spin.

Delhi Capitals (DC):

• Current Form: 6 wins in 8 matches (W-W-L-W-W), 2nd with a net run rate of ~+0.400. Recent 8-wicket win over LSG showcased Rahul’s dominance (57*).

• Key Players:

  • Batting:

    • KL Rahul: 323 runs, SR ~153.80, anchors innings.

    • Abishek Porel: Recent fifty, SR ~145, powerplay aggressor.

    • Tristan Stubbs: SR ~160, key finisher.

  • Bowling:

    • Kuldeep Yadav: 12 wickets, economy ~6.3, spin menace.

    • Mitchell Starc: 9 wickets in 3 games, early breakthroughs.

    • Axar Patel: Economy ~7, middle-over control.

• Injuries/Availability: No major injuries reported.

• Strengths: Spin bowling depth, Rahul’s form, middle-over economy (8.4 runs/over).

• Weaknesses: Inconsistent home form (1-1 at Arun Jaitley), middle-order fragility vs. pace.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):

• Current Form: 6 wins in 9 matches (W-W-L-W-L), 3rd with a net run rate of ~+0.250. Back-to-back wins vs. PBKS and RR show momentum.

• Key Players:

  • Batting:

    • Virat Kohli: 3rd in Orange Cap, Avg: 65.33, SR ~145.5 at Arun Jaitley.

    • Devdutt Padikkal: Recent fifty, SR ~150.

    • Rajat Patidar: 64 off 32 vs. MI, explosive middle-order.

  • Bowling:

    • Josh Hazlewood: Economy ~7.5, clutch in death overs.

    • Krunal Pandya: 12 wickets, middle-over specialist.

    • Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Powerplay swing, economy ~8.

• Injuries/Availability: No major injuries; Salt likely to play despite form dip.

• Strengths: Unbeaten away record, Kohli’s consistency, balanced bowling.

• Weaknesses: Pacer economy (10.2 runs/over at Arun Jaitley), Salt’s inconsistency.

🏟 Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
🌡 Weather: Warm, 33–39°C, ~12–14% humidity for the 7:30 PM IST start on April 27, 2025. No rain risk. Dew likely, favoring chasers by reducing spin grip.

Pitch Characteristics:

• ✅ High-Scoring Surface: Averages ~200/6 in IPL 2025 (run rate: 10.0). Pace economy ~10.2, spin ~8.6.

• ✅ Scoring Trends: Highest score: 266/7 (SRH vs. DC, 2024); highest chase: 182. Recent MI vs. DC game saw 205 posted.

• ✅ Chasing vs. Defending: Teams batting second win 60% (24/40 matches). Dew boosts chases; bat-first wins need 200+.

Ideal Strategy:

• 🧤 Batting First: Target 190–210, with Rahul/Porel (DC) or Kohli/Padikkal (RCB) maximizing powerplay. Anchors (Rahul, Kohli) build; finishers (Stubbs, David) explode. Spinners (Kuldeep, Krunal) choke to defend.

• 💡 Bowling First: Early wickets via Starc (DC) or Hazlewood (RCB). Spinners (Kuldeep/Axar, Krunal) control overs 7–15 to keep scores under 200. Pace (Mukesh, Bhuvneshwar) curbs late hitting.

Delhi Capitals (DC) Recent Performance:

• 🔥 Strong Campaign: 6 wins in 8 games (W-W-L-W-W), 2nd with a net run rate of ~+0.400. Thumped LSG by 8 wickets, chasing 166 in 17 overs.

• 🌀 Batting Strength: Rahul (323 runs, SR ~153.80) leads, with Porel (SR ~145) and Stubbs (SR ~160) contributing. Nair’s 89 vs. MI shows depth.

• ⚔️ Bowling Prowess: Kuldeep (12 wickets) and Axar (economy ~7) dominate spin, with Starc (9 wickets) lethal early. Mukesh’s death bowling adds variety.

• ⚠️ Team Weakness: Home inconsistency, middle-order struggles vs. pace (collapsed vs. MI).

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Recent Performance:

• 💥 Solid Campaign: 6 wins in 9 games (W-W-L-W-L), 3rd with a net run rate of ~+0.250. Beat RR defending 171, thanks to Hazlewood’s 1-run 19th over.

• 🎯 Batting Firepower: Kohli (avg 65.33) and Padikkal (SR ~150) drive the top order, with Patidar (SR ~160) explosive. David adds late hitting.

• ⚡ Bowling Strength: Hazlewood (economy ~7.5) and Krunal (12 wickets) lead, with Bhuvneshwar’s swing effective. Yash Dayal’s pace adds variety.

• ⚠️ Team Weakness: Pacer economy at Arun Jaitley, Salt’s powerplay struggles.

• ⚔️ Powerplay Domination: DC’s Porel/Rahul must counter Bhuvneshwar’s swing, while RCB’s Salt/Kohli target Starc. Arun Jaitley’s powerplay averages ~55–65 runs, setting momentum.

• 💥 Middle-Order Fireworks: DC’s Axar/Stubbs face Krunal, where spin could choke. RCB’s Padikkal/Patidar tackle Kuldeep/Axar, aiming to stabilize. Overs 7–15 decide the game.

• 🔄 Death-Over Execution: DC’s Mukesh must curb David’s sixes; RCB’s Hazlewood targets Stubbs. Dew favors hitters, making yorkers critical.

• 🧱 Bowling Discipline: DC’s Kuldeep needs to dismiss Kohli early; RCB’s Krunal targets Rahul. Keeping scores under 200 is key, with spinners controlling the middle.

• 🧠 Captaincy & Tactical Matchups: Axar’s tactics will deploy Kuldeep against Kohli and save Axar for Padikkal, leveraging spin. Patidar may use Hazlewood early vs. Rahul and hold Krunal for Stubbs. Impact players (Mohit for DC, Suyash for RCB) will be pivotal.

🧠 Top Fantasy Picks:

• Captain Choice: 🔥 KL Rahul (DC) – Likely to score 50+ on a batting-friendly pitch, high points vs. RCB (93*).

• Vice-Captain Choice: ⚡ Virat Kohli (RCB) – SR ~145.5 at Arun Jaitley, likely to score 40+.

• Budget Pick: 💎 Abishek Porel (DC) – Recent fifty, SR ~145, high impact in powerplay.

Dream11 Picks:

• WK: KL Rahul

• Batsmen: Virat Kohli (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Karun Nair

• All-Rounders: Axar Patel, Romario Shepherd

• Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav (C), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
  Note: Adjust based on toss and final XI.

Key Player Match-Ups:

• KL Rahul vs. Josh Hazlewood: Rahul’s aggression (SR 153.80) meets Hazlewood’s dot-ball accuracy (72.92%). If Rahul dominates, DC post/chase 200+; if Hazlewood strikes, RCB control early.

• Virat Kohli vs. Kuldeep Yadav: Kohli’s venue mastery (483 runs) faces Kuldeep’s 12 wickets. An early wicket slows RCB; if Kohli survives, RCB surge.

• Tristan Stubbs vs. Krunal Pandya: Stubbs’ power (SR ~160) tests Krunal’s middle-over control. If Stubbs explodes, DC post 200+; if Krunal contains, RCB stay in the game.

Win Probability & Betting Odds:

• DC: 52% (Odds: ~1.80–1.90)

• RCB: 48% (Odds: ~1.90–2.00)

🏆 Final Prediction
DC, under Axar Patel’s astute leadership, hold a slight edge with their spin bowling (Kuldeep, Axar) and KL Rahul’s form, especially at home. RCB’s unbeaten away streak and Kohli’s venue dominance make them dangerous, but their pacers’ high economy at Arun Jaitley tilts the scales. Expect a high-scoring clash, with DC likely to chase 190–200 or defend a similar total, winning by 5–10 runs or 2–4 wickets. A first-innings score of 200+ could test RCB’s bowling unless Kohli or Padikkal fire.

📢 Final Thoughts
Batters like Rahul, Kohli, and Padikkal are fantasy must-haves on Arun Jaitley’s flat pitch, while spinners Kuldeep and Krunal will rack up wickets. Stubbs and David add all-round value. The toss favors chasing due to dew, but a 200+ total could challenge RCB’s inconsistent bowling. For real-time updates, follow official IPL channels or join our Telegram for live.

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