IPL 2019, Eliminator, DC vs SRH, Preview: Ambitious Delhi and underperforming Hyderabad lock horns on the South-east coast

One of these sides could so easily have finished at the top and the other even had the possibility of finishing at the bottom of the table. That’s how close this season has been with the margins being so very fine, yet the Delhi Capitals and the Sunrisers Hyderabad somehow find themselves in the Eliminator which will be conducted at the ACA-VDCA Stadium, Vizag.

The Easter coast of India has recently been an obnoxious place to live, with cyclone Fani disrupting life profusely. Weather conditions in Vizag too have not been very great, but it’s been windier than rainy, which would make for good enough conditions for an outstanding game of cricket.

The form-factor has been a concern for Sunrisers Hyderabad, having lost their previous two games. Delhi, on the other side, registered a thumping win against Rajasthan to register 18 points but still finish third due to a relatively poor run-rate. Despite having a better head to head record, Sunrisers enter this contest as underdogs and it’ll be interesting to see if they can replicate the 2016 heroics.

Playing Combinations

Delhi Capitals

A slight concern for the Capitals is that apart from Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer, no one else has been scoring runs regularly. Pant pulled off a few good knocks but is vulnerable on occasions. Chris Morris is expected to be in the XI to replace Keemo Paul to strengthen the bowling attack. Colin Ingram and Prithvi Shaw have encountered a pretty bad season, but could still make amends with a big knock at this stage.

Predicted XI

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (C), Colin Ingram, Sherfane Rutherford, Rishabh Pant (wk), Chris Morris, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Trent Boult

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Martin Guptill and Wriddhiman Saha are getting their side off to a good start, but are just unable to build something big. Manish Pandey and Kane Williamson getting among the runs is a massive bonus for the side, even as they are still looking for Vijay Shankar to get back to his best. Khaleel Ahmed has been a star with the ball this season, picking 17 wickets in just 8 matches despite the economy being a bit on the higher side. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan have been very tidy, but not regularly among the wickets. Deepak Hooda might replace Yusuf Pathan in the XI.

Predicted XI

Martin Guptill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson (C), Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Basil Thampi

Toss Update: Delhi Capitals won the toss and opt to bowl

Focus will be on

Rishabh Pant (Delhi Capitals)

Without a doubt one of the best young talents in the country, Rishabh Pant has had a par tournament this time. When compared to his pyrotechnics last season, he seems relatively cold. Yet, the 21-year-old has enough talent in his arsenal to change the game on its head in a span of few overs and despite not enjoying the best of seasons, every opposition will be wary of the danger Pant carries.

Martin Guptill (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

In the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he looked in good touch before getting dismissed in the cheekiest way possible. Capitals might attack him with spin, but the Kiwi will not back away from a counter-attack. Over the years, he has been getting a lot of chances with various sides, but Guptill now has a stupendous chance of proving his worth in the IPL and extending his stay with the Sunrisers.

Head-to-head

Matches played – 14 | Sunrisers won – 9 | Delhi won – 5

Stat Attack

5 – Khaleel Ahmed has picked five 3-fers this season, more than any other player.

6.46 – Among all the bowlers who bowled over 50 overs, Rashid Khan has the best economy of 6.46.

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