IPL 2019 – Match 16: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – DC Predicted Playing XI

After their first four games in the IPL 2019, the Delhi Capitals (DC) have won two and lost two. The side has failed to hold onto their nerves towards the end and faltered in both the last two games. However, they managed to register a win in the super over against the KKR. But their performance against KXIP was highly disappointing.

They lost the last seven wickets for just 8 runs and eventually fell short of the target by 14 runs. Now, they get back to the Feroz Shah Kotla to take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) who are coming off a massive win against RCB. Delhi will have a few changes to make to their eleven given that they look highly inexperienced.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Delhi Capitals (DC):

Openers (Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan)

After the 99 against KKR, Prithvi Shaw bagged a golden duck in the last game. Even though he’s been hitting the ball well, Shaw has failed to maintain the consistency. The 19-year-old must take his time initially and assess the conditions before he goes for the big shots. Delhi will be dependent on the openers as the opposition has got a strong bowling line-up.

Shikhar Dhawan has been highly disappointing this year. In four innings, he has scored 140 runs at an average of 35 and is the second highest run-scorer for the team. However, it is his strike rate that is causing a huge concern as he is building pressure on the batsmen at the other end with his defensive approach.

Middle Order (Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (wk), Colin Ingram)

Shreyas Iyer scored 105 runs in 4 innings till now at an average of 26. He is the leader of the side and should play with a lot more responsibility. The right-hander has been throwing his wicket away after getting off to good starts. Rather than trying to play aggressive, he should play the anchor and try to stay in the middle right till the end. But that’d happen only if Shikhar Dhawan manages to capitalize.

Rishabh Pant, after the blitz in the first game, has been absolutely reckless with his batting. He needs to realise that his one-hand batting and big hitting will not work at all times. It is important for him to know the situation of the game and play accordingly. A quickfire 30 or 40 will not fit his team’s needs given that they don’t bat deep. Colin Ingram also should work on the same aspect of his game and should try to play slightly more sensibly.

All Rounders (Chris Morris, Axar Patel)

Chris Morris has been handling the pace duties for the team extremely well. He was the pick of the bowlers in the last game with three wickets. The South African is varying his pace well and is hitting the right areas more often than not. It is important for him to contribute with the bat as well.

It was quite surprising to see someone like Axar Patel being benched for the last two games. DC, obviously, wanted to strengthen their batting but the plan has backfired. He bowled well against CSK and did well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with the bat. The Capitals need to give him a long run instead of wasting a talent like him. They did the same mistake last year by benching many of their talented cricketers.

Bowlers (Sandeep Lamichhane, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan)

Sandeep Lamichhane will have Amit Mishra in the bowling line-up to share the spin duties. Lamichhane did well in the opportunities that he got and likewise with Mishra. However, the leg-spinner didn’t play the last game. Delhi should look at him purely as a wicket-taking option and shouldn’t mind even if he concedes a few runs.

The other bowlers should look to restrict the run flow. Kagiso Rabada and Avesh Khan will complete the pace attack. With six bowling options, Iyer can use his resources as per the situation of the game. It is too early to judge Avesh just after one performance and he could get another opportunity to play for DC.

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