Their winning streak halted by the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore will hope Harshal Patel returns to the playing XI and contribute in bringing their campaign back on track when they face Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.
RCB were flying high with three successive wins before Chennai Super Kings outwitted them by 23 runs in their last outing.
It was the absence of Harshal which hurt the team as skipper Faf du Plessis looked out of options to control the rampaging duo of Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa, who took the bowlers to the cleaners as CSK posted a huge total on board.
Patel, a vital cog
Known for his variations and death bowling skills, Harshal is a vital cog in RCB’s wheels and Du Plessis had admitted that the team missed his services after he left the bio-bubble on Sunday following the death of his cousin. The 31-year-old from Gujarat, who had taken 32 wickets in the 2021 edition, has emerged as one of the best T20 bowlers with his variations, which include off-cutters and slower ones, bowled with variable arm speed.
This season too, Harshal has snapped six wickets from four games at an economy of just 5.50 and remains the go-to-man for Du Plessis whenever the going gets tough.
The Capitals, on the other hand, are heading into the match after a massive 44-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
Prithvi in sensational form
With two back-to-back fifties, opener Prithvi Shaw has been in sensational form, while seasoned Australian opener David Warner has provided the team solidity at the top.
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