IPL 2024 Match 9 RR vs DC Match Prediction
The upcoming IPL 2024 match, Match 9, will feature Rajasthan Royals (RR) facing off against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. As they gear up for their clash in the second round of the tournament, fans can anticipate an exciting showdown on Thursday (March 28).
In their opening games, the inaugural champions, RR, started strong by defeating Lucknow SuperGiants (LSG) by a margin of 20 runs. However, DC, who are still chasing their first IPL title, faced a setback in their first match, losing to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by four wickets.
With RR leading the points table boasting an impressive net run rate (NRR) of +1.000, DC finds themselves second from the bottom with an NRR of -0.455.
Adding to the anticipation, the upcoming match marks the 100th appearance for Rishabh Pant, who has returned to IPL 2024 and has also been appointed as the captain of the Delhi Capitals. Pant made a notable contribution of 18 runs off 13 balls in his comeback game, eyeing the specialist wicketkeeper-batter’s role for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
In a significant development for the Delhi Capitals, South African pace sensation Anrich Nortje has joined the squad ahead of their clash against the Royals, providing a valuable addition to their lineup as he becomes available for selection.
What to expect?
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has a reputation for being a high-scoring ground, as demonstrated in the last match played there. The Royals set a formidable total of 193 runs while batting first.
They’re known for their strategy of opting to bat first, putting up imposing scores, and then relying on their bowlers to defend them. Having specialist bowlers in their lineup certainly helps their cause.
However, historical data suggests that teams chasing have a better chance of winning at this venue.
From the Royals’ perspective, their batsmen seem to be in good form leading up to the upcoming contest. On the other hand, Rishabh Pant’s return game saw him scoring only 18 runs, and as he approaches his 100th match for the Capitals, he’ll be eager to make a significant contribution with the bat.
RR vs DC Toss Prediction
The pitch at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur leaned towards being drier during the RR and LSG games. It presented a hard and dry surface, lacking much movement sideways for the fast bowlers. While the bounce remained consistent for the most part, there were instances where the ball stayed low. However, being an evening match, there’s an expectation for the pitch to perform better.
Spin bowlers had a significant influence in many IPL 2023 matches. Considering this game is during the day, spinners from the team bowling first could be excellent choices. Chasing under the floodlights might be easier, So opting for top-order batsmen from the team batting first could be a safer bet.
RR vs DC Strengths and Weaknesses
RR’s Strengths
The Royals kicked off their campaign with a spectacular performance in the opening match. They put up a formidable total of 193 runs and managed to defend it successfully. Sanju Samson played a remarkable innings, scoring an unbeaten 82, while Riyan Parag contributed a timely 49 off 29 balls. It was a flawless display from the Royals as everything seemed to fall into place, resulting in their victory in the first game.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal each claimed a wicket, while Trent Boult continued his trend of picking up wickets early in the powerplay. The team’s retained core players performed exceptionally well, which has been a key factor in their success.
RR’s Weaknesses
RR’s main worry lies in the form of their key players. Jos Buttler has been inconsistent with the bat since October 2023. Despite hitting three fifties against the West Indies recently, there’s uncertainty about whether he has truly regained his form. His performance in the last match against LSG was underwhelming, managing to score only 11 runs.
Before the 2024 auction, RR parted ways with West Indies player Jason Holder. This decision left Ashwin as the sole all-rounder in the team, highlighting RR’s deficiency in having at least two quality all-rounders in their squad.
DC’s Strengths
The Capitals will receive a boost with the comeback of Anrich Nortje, who has rejoined the team and will be up for selection against Rajasthan Royals. He’s making his return after a lengthy period out due to injury, which also sidelined him for the last World Cup. Nortje secured 10 wickets from 10 matches last year.
Additionally, Rishabh Pant is set to mark his 100th game for the Capitals in the match against the Royals.
DC’s Weaknesses
Their Indian pace bowling unit lacks experience, but they rely on the seasoned spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. However, in the last match against PBKS, neither could deliver significant performances. Only Kuldeep and Axar managed to maintain an economy rate of less than 8, while the rest of the bowlers were costly in their spells.
Conclusion
Both teams have a strong track record of winning matches at their home venues. The Royals have secured victory in four out of six games played at home, while Delhi has won five out of eight. Interestingly, they’ve often won matches consecutively.
In their recent encounters, the Royals emerged victorious in the last match between the two sides. However, it’s worth noting that Delhi Capitals claimed their last victory at Jaipur back in 2019.
With the addition of Anrich Nortje to the Capitals squad, they’ll likely aim to unleash his skills against the Royals on Thursday, hoping to return to their winning momentum. Meanwhile, the Royals are eager to secure their second consecutive win.
