1. Overview
We are in the final week of IPL which is always the most exciting time of the tournament as various teams fight for a spot in the Top 4. While Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad have already been out of the race and Gujarat Titans being already qualified, 7 teams are still battling for the remaining 3 spots. Punjab Kings will be looking for a win to increase their chances.
These 2 sides are meeting just 4 days after facing each other in Delhi. While DC begun well both with the bat and the ball, it was Punjab who ended up winning the match as they were able to pull things back in both the innings.
2. Team Previews
Head-to-Head Record: 31 Matches, PBKS: 16 Wins and DC: 15 Wins
Punjab Kings: With just 2 matches in their hand, Punjab Kings must make an all-out effort in these 2 matches to ensure they are through the playoffs. Their batting is a great combination of the experienced and young blood, and all of them have contributed well throughout the tournament. Prabhsimran Singh will be carrying a great momentum following a match winning century against the same opposition. Their bowling is a big plus for them too with the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar and Rahul Chahar
Delhi Capitals: Being already out of the Playoffs race, DC will have less pressure to win this. Generally sides that are already knocked out tends to act as party spoilers for the others who are in the race for the top 4. Their bowling is decent, but the real problem lies with their batting department. They are heavily dependent on their Overseas Players to score big, as barring Axar, every Indian Batsmen from their side have disappointed. This was visible during their last outing against the same opponents as Salt, Marsh and Rossouw failed and they lost the match as a result.
3. Qualification Scenarios
Punjab Kings: They are currently placed at 8th Position on the Points Table with 12 Points in 12 Matches and 2 games to go. Their remaining 2 matches are against DC and RR. They will have Home Advantage in both the games but it will be nullified by the fact that the matches will be played their
alternative home at Dharamsala, where they haven’t played any match earlier. The Following are the scenarios for their qualification:-
i) If they Win Both the Matches: Their chances would be high but they would then have to hope for RCB’s loss in one of their match plus a loss either for CSK in their last match or LSG in one of their last 2 matches.
ii) If they lose against DC and Win against RR: Their last match against RR will be their Must-Win game because if they fail to register a win against them, they would not just lose the 2 Points but would also gift those 2 points to RR, who too have 12 points but their NRR is much better than PBKS. So if they have to win just one game, it has to be against RR and then hope for RCB and LSG to lose both of their matches and KKR’s NRR remains lower than them.
In Case, If they win just against DC and lose against RR or Lose both their matches, they would be out of Top 4 race.
Delhi Capitals: They are already out of the Playoff race
4. Probable Teams
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sikandar Raza, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh. (Impact Player - Nathan Ellis)
Delhi Capitals: David Warner (C), Phil Salt (WK), Mitchell Marsh, Rilee Rossouw, Axar Patel, Manish Pandey, Aman Khan, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Dubey, Mukesh Kumar,. (Impact Player - Khaleel Ahmed)
5. Interesting Facts
- Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals have both won exactly 107 Matches in IPL. Interestingly, both have 3 Wins through Super Overs.
- Both the Captains – Shikhar Dhawan(6600) and David Warner(6265) are the All Time 2nd and the 3rd Run Scorers of IPL.
- If David Warner (98) scores Half Centuries in both his remaining 2 matches, he would become the first player to score 100 Half Centuries in T20 Cricket.
- Bhanuka Rajapaksa (2940) needs 60 Runs to complete 3000 T20 Runs.
- Sam Curran (98) needs 2 more maximums to complete 100 T20 Sixes.
- Rilee Rossouw (299) would play his 300th innings in T20s if he bats.
- Axar Patel (49) would play his 50th Innings for Delhi Capitals
- Arshdeep Singh (49) will be playing his 50th Match for Punjab Kings
6. Weather and Pitch Report
The weather will be cloudy with the temperature around 20 Degree. There are slight chances of there in the beginning which could delay the toss, but we can expect a full game without any deduction of overs.
Dharamsala will be provide a balance between the Bat and the Ball. Scoring will be slightly easy though. Pacers will get assistance with the new ball. The estimated total should be in the range of 160-170. Defending will be a better option of toss winning side.
7. Match Details
Time: 7:30 PM
Date: 17th May 2023
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
8. Dream XI
