IPL 2014 Match 38 prediction: Bangalore (57%) predicted to defeat Delhi (43%)

By Shashi Mittal On May 12, 2014

Prediction methodology

Note: Starting match 14 onwards, we are using only the data of IPL 2014 to predict the outcome of the matches of the current series.

Prediction: Bangalore (57%) predicted to defeat Delhi (43%) (Match scorecard)

This is a contest between two teams that are likely to miss the knock-out stage of the tournament. When the season is over, the think-tank of the two teams will have to seriously ponder what went wrong with their strategy. Mainly for Delhi Daredevils, and to some extent for the Royal Challengers Bangalore as well, their problems started with the team selection during the IPL player auction earlier this year. Delhi Daredevils spent too much money on batting and little on bowling. The result is a disastrous bowling unit which struggles to take wickets, and currently has a massive bowling average of more than 40 runs per wicket. On the other hand, the bowling attack has been a nice surprise for Bangalore so far this season - until it all came down crashing in their previous match against Rajasthan Royals, when they couldn't defend 65 runs in the last 4 overs. However, their top-heavy batting has also been a problem, with their top order never firing together at the same time, and the lower order struggling to score runs once the biggies got out.

Bangalore sure have been a bit unlucky with their roster. Chris Gayle hasn't been healthy in this season and there is a good chance he might miss this match. The last match not withstanding, their bowling unit is still solid and points to a bright future. So they have a definite upper hand going into this match with Delhi Daredevils. The latter team, though, might not be able to recover from the mistakes it made during the player auction. On the top of poor team selection, their match tactics have also been questionable - like Mumbai Indians, they have tended to hold back their best batsmen for later overs in the innings. The only player who has performed well for Delhi is JP Duminy. Captain Pietersen has been a shadow of his previous self, and it is doubtful how much he has been able to inspire his teammates. Perhaps it is time to pass over the baton to Duminy and give a chance to the other players in the team. Given that they are unlikely to progress further in the tournament, a little experimentation will do no harm to them.

Cricmetric's current prediction success rate for IPL 2014: 19/36 (53%)