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Virat Kohli To Outwit Starc? 5 Player Battles To Watch Out In RCB vs DC IPL 2025 Match

Soumyajit Dutta

Mitchell Starc and Virat kohli [Source: @141Adelaide_/X]Mitchell Starc and Virat kohli [Source: @141Adelaide_/X]

The Chinnaswamy Stadium braces for a tactical showdown as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host Delhi Capitals (DC) in a crucial IPL 2025 fixture on April 10. With RCB’s explosive batting lineup squaring off against DC’s versatile attack, individual duels could tilt the balance. 

Virat Kohli’s dominance against pace, Faf du Plessis’ mastery over spin, and KL Rahul’s battle with swing promise a riveting contest. With playoff hopes at stake, Bengaluru’s batting-friendly pitch sets the stage for a high-scoring thriller where every matchup carries weight.

1. Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc

Criterion
Data
Innings8
Runs
87
Dismissals
0
Balls49
Strike Rate177.55
  • Virat Kohli has dominated Starc in T20s, striking at 177 without being dismissed. His aggressive intent against left-arm pace, coupled with Starc’s struggle for breakthroughs, makes this a high-stakes duel. 
  • Starc’s Yorkers vs Kohli’s cover drives could decide RCB’s powerplay momentum and give them edge in the contest.

2. KL Rahul vs Josh Hazlewood

Criterion
Data
Innings4
Runs
44
Dismissals
1
Balls32
Average44.00
Strike Rate137.50
  • KL Rahul’s cautious approach against Hazlewood’s disciplined lines has yielded mixed results. 
  • With a 137 SR and one dismissal, Hazlewood needs swing early to curb Rahul’s anchor role. A battle of patience vs precision.

3. Axar Patel vs Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Criterion
Data
Innings10
Runs
59
Dismissals
2
Balls33
Average29.50
Strike Rate178.78
  • Axar Patel's explosive hitting against Bhuvi (178 SR) contrasts with the pacer’s two dismissals. 
  • Bhuvi’s knuckleballs vs Axar’s pinch-hitting ability will test both players’ adaptability in the middle and the death-overs.

4. Rajat Patidar vs Axar Patel

Criterion
Data
Innings2
Runs
21
Dismissals
1
Balls13
Average21.00
Strike Rate161.53
  • Patidar’s quickfire cameos against Axar’s guile add spice. Axar’s arm ball troubled him once, but Patidar’s 161 strike rate signals intent to attack spin. 
  • Though the matchup seems small, yet it will hold a lot of significance for both teams.

5. Faf du Plessis vs Krunal Pandya

Criterion
Data
Innings7
Runs
69
Dismissals
1
Balls56
Average69.00
Strike Rate123.21
  • Faf’s dominance with an average of 69 over Krunal’s left-arm spin makes the contest lopsided. Faf also boasts a decent strike rate which could add to DC's middle-over momentum. 
  • Krunal’s flat trajectory vs Faf’s slog-sweeps could dictate RCB’s middle-over acceleration and can be a potential decider of the match.