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| 📸: Delhi Capitals Website |
While a lot of attention will be on the 'El Classico Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings, there are also two exciting teams battling against each other at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Both the teams are coming after a loss in their previous match and now they have their own challenges to deal with in regards to injuries/unavailabilities. While DC's Mitchell Marsh has flown home for his wedding, RR is still waiting on Jos Buttler's medical report which will eventually decide his participation.
The Capitals are already without their regular skipper Rishabh Pant for this season, absence of another inform explosive all-rounder Mitch Marsh only adds to their woes as they have already lost two games and are yet to open their account. Prithvi Shaw is also yet to fire after his short ball problems resurfaced after getting out to it in every single inning last season. The early exits of Shaw and Marsh have not done any good for David Warner as it has prevented him a bit in playing his natural game. Also, it was because of Axar Patel that they were able to a respectable total of 162 against Gujarat Titans or they were way behind in the match, which eventually Titans chased down.
Royals without Buttler, who was seen with stitches are a vulnerable batting lineup as they have been heavily dependent in the last few seasons and he was the man of the match in their opening game of this season for his knock of 54 off 22 balls. Royals will also be stressing on Devdutt Padikkal's form who has had a torrid time after leaving Royal Challengers Banglore in the previous year's mega auction, but he has a chance to get his mojo back tomorrow if he opens the batting in case of Buttler's absence.
The Previous Encounter
The last time these two teams faced each other, it was a one-sided affair as the Capitals won comfortably by seven wickets. Ashwin scored a half-century in the first innings, but a partnership between the then-T20 world cup final heroes David Warner and Mitchell Marsh ensured that the Royals had no chance to come back in the game.
Team Strategies
Delhi Capitals
With Mitch Marsh out for the time being, the Capitals will have a chance to play Phil Salt in his place. They can also promote Rilee Rossouw up the order as that opens the door for Rovman Powell to get back in the mix. Chetan Sakariya can also make a comeback in place of Mukesh Kumar, who seemed ineffective while bowling at the death in the last game.
Probable XI:
Prithvi Shaw, David Warner(c), Rilee Rossouw/Phil Salt, Sarfaraz Khan, Abishek Porel, Rovman Powell, Aman Khan, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar/Chetan Sakariya, Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje.
Rajasthan Royal
There could be a potential IPL debut for Joe Root, if Jos Buttler is ruled out due to his injury and that makes way for someone like Devdutt Padikkal to open the innings. There's still no clarity around Kuldeep Sen, who looked impressive in the last season. Dhruv Jurel can also be seen in the starting XI if the Royals bat first after his cameo in the last thriller match against Punjab Kings and he can be subbed out later for a bowler.
Probable XI:
Jos Buttler/Joe Root, Yashashvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer , Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, KM Asif, Trent Boult.
Matchups
- Trent Boult has kept David Warner in check as he has conceded only 64 runs in 65 balls dismissing him twice in T20s till now. The former will look to pitch the ball up to the Capitals skipper if there's some swing available
- Sanju Samson has the better of Khaleel Ahmed in the league as he has scored 56 runs in 28 balls against him, while he has also struggled against Nortje scoring only 13 runs in 17 deliveries. It will be interesting to see if Khaleel comes up with some plans for him.
- Anrich Nortje has an amazing record against Devdutt Paddikal as he has dismissed him thrice in 11 balls conceding 17 runs.
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Sanju Samson Smashing Khaleel for 20 runs in an over/
📸:Twitter
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Pitch and Conditions
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| Barsapra Cricket Stadium/📸:SportsF1 |
There haven't been many international games played here in, but looking at whatever matches the ground has hosted thus, we should know that it's gonna be a belter of a wicket. The good news is that dew won't play a factor like in the last game as it's an afternoon game, so the toss won't matter a lot in deciding the result of the game.
Stats credit: ESPNcricinfo
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