Congested points table, two teams desperate to qualify for playoffs and a high scoring ground of DY Patil stadium. You can't ask for more, right?
Inconsistent Delhi Capitals will clash against clinical Rajasthan Royals in the 58th game of tournament in DY Patil Stadium. Delhi Capitals have blown hot and cold this season but Rajasthan seems to have found perfect combination for the tournament.
DC:
Arguably, Delhi Capitals have incurred most losses due to mega auction and now team is unable to find right combination. Delhi's top 5 looks settled and solid but except for David Warner, no one has got big scores and cameos of 30s don't win you games in cricket every single day.
Strength:
1) Pant has shown form and it is a matter of time before he converts them into something substantial
2) Their star bowler Nortje is back and can be very crucial in death overs where Delhi has been taken apart
3) Pitches are now getting tired and quality spinners like Axar and Kuldeep will find assistant from the track
Shortcomings:
1) Shaw has missed last 2 games because of health issues and he may most probably miss this one as well.
2) Shardul Thakur has leaked runs at crucial times and hasn't performed with the willow in the hand as well.
3) Lack of proper finisher has left Delhi to deal with inexperienced guys like Ripal and Lalit in the most important phase of the game
Way forward: From here onwards, there is no looking back. Either you win or go back home.
Probable XI: David Warner, Srikar Bharat, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Ripal Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje
Rajasthan:
RRR: RISE ROAR ROYAL
Finally, the Royals have arrived in this season and arrived in some style. When asked to chase, they made a mockery of Punjab Kings target and when they bat first, they have set up mammoth targets for the opposition. Year after year, their skipper was criticised for inconsistency but now the tables have turned. The skipper is leading from the front and others have supported him very well.
Strengths:
1) Form and consistency of Butler, Sanju and Yuzi
2) Yashasvi Jaiswal is back with a bang
3) Ashwin is picking wickets at crucial junctures of the game.
4) Riyan Parag's finishing touch and Ashwin's cameos.
Shortcomings:
1) The most important batting position in a t-20 game is number 4, RR have tried various individuals but to no avail.
2) Their proved finisher Hetymer will not be available for a few games as he has taken paternity leave.
3) Loss of Boult's form.
Way forward: Cement your place in playoffs and eye the position of top 2 in the points table.
Probable XI: Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Jimmy Neesham/Rassie van der Dussen, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Sen
Head-to-head: RR just about lead the head-to-head between the two sides by 13-12.
What: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals, Match 58, IPL 2022
When: Wednesday, May 11 at 7:30 PM IST
Where: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai
What to expect: In the last two games played at the venue, teams batting first successfully defended targets with the wicket being two-paced.
Tactics and Matchups: RR could bring in Ashwin to bowl in the powerplay to counter the Warner threat with him having dismissed him 5 times. Samson is the only player to strike above 140 as captain and has maintained a strike-rate of 140-plus across both periods - as captain and non-captain - and his average has also gone up after taking over captaincy. In 8 innings versus RR, Pant has scored 344 runs, averaging 57.33, striking at 166.69.
Dream11 Team:
