BENGALURU – The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 continues to thrill fans with its unique blend of nostalgia and fierce competition. As Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare to face the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the stage is set for a battle where former teammates turn into rivals, each driven by the pursuit of glory and the lucrative rewards that come with it.
Last week, Mohammed Siraj, now with Gujarat Titans, returned to the Chinnaswamy Stadium and played a pivotal role in handing RCB their first defeat in three matches. The emotional stakes will be just as high when RCB take on the unbeaten DC on Thursday.
DC’s squad includes several players with deep connections to RCB. Faf du Plessis, who captained RCB for three seasons, is one such figure. Before being released ahead of last year’s auction, du Plessis led RCB to two playoffs, coming agonizingly close to winning the title. His standout performance was in 2023, where he amassed a remarkable 730 runs. Now serving as deputy to Axar Patel at DC, du Plessis could be a key player at a venue he once called home, although his participation remains uncertain due to a groin injury that kept him out of the last game against Chennai Super Kings.
DC’s assistant coach, Matthew Mott, provided an update on du Plessis’s condition: “The beauty of the schedule so far is we’ve had some really good breaks and Faf’s had a good break. He’ll get assessed today by the physios with a view to playing. To the naked eye, he certainly looks like he’s moving around a lot better.”
Another former RCB player, Mitchell Starc, will also be in the spotlight. The Australian left-arm pacer made his IPL debut with RCB in 2014, taking 34 wickets over two seasons before a foot fracture sidelined him in 2016. His experience and skill could prove crucial for DC.
KL Rahul, who spent four seasons with RCB, returns to his old stomping ground with DC. After missing the season opener due to the birth of his daughter, Rahul made a significant impact in the last match against CSK, scoring a match-winning 77 off 51 balls. Despite speculation that he might return to RCB, DC secured him for Rs 14 crore at the auction.
Both teams enter the contest on the back of victories. RCB successfully defended a high total against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium, thanks to crucial half-centuries from skipper Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli. The match also saw the return to form of Devdutt Padikkal and a game-changing performance from wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, who scored an unbeaten 40 off 19 balls.
Despite some bowling concerns, with leggie Suyash Sharma and pace ace Josh Hazlewood being the exceptions, RCB managed to hold their nerve in the final overs. Having conquered Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings, and Mumbai Indians away from home, RCB will be eager to bounce back from their recent home loss to Gujarat Titans. They face a formidable challenge from DC, who boast a strong bowling attack led by the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.