IPL 2019 – Match 5: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings – DC Predicted Playing XI

The rechristened Delhi Capitals (DC) had a resounding start to the new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rishabh Pant went on a rampage in the game against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to help his side register a massive 37-run victory. The left-hander took just 27 balls to score 78 runs and it was splendid to watch him bat in this game.

Just after a one day break, the Capitals will be back in action but in the capital city this time. In their first home game of the season, they will be facing the defending champions Chennai Super Kings. Both these teams have won their respective previous matches and will be eager to have another one under their belt. But, more importantly, will the home team tweak around with its winning combinations?

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

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw)

Shikhar Dhawan played an uncharacteristic slow knock in the last game. He tried to anchor the inning without trying to take big risks. But, that isn’t the kind of role that’d suit him ideally. Dhawan is at his best when he tries to attack the bowlers. It would be a homecoming for the left-hander when he plays in Delhi and will look forward to making a big impact.

His partner, Prithvi Shaw missed out on a big knock playing at his home ground in Mumbai. The youngster is coming back after a long layoff and looked slightly rusty. It would be excellent if he can try and take a little bit of time early on. He can make up for the slower start easily as he finds the gaps at an impeccable consistency.

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

Shreyas Iyer looked to be in fine nick in the game against Mumbai. But he, unfortunately, had to walk back to the pavilion after Kieron Pollard pulled off a blinder. Iyer has got some fond memories playing at the Kotla last season and will look forward to putting his team on the top with another fine knock.

A T20 circuit legend, Colin Ingram, made an impact immediately in his comeback game in the IPL. He scored 47 runs off 32 balls but failed to reach his half-century. Ingram’s role is to hold the middle-order together as the other aggressive batsmen bat around him. He should look to stay in the middle right till the end of the 20th over.

With his knock in the last match, Rishabh Pant sent shivers down the spines of opposition. He smashed the best bowler in the world at the moment, Jasprit Bumrah, for some massive sixes. He will pose Chennai a massive threat going ahead into this game. Yet again, DC will have their expectations high on him.

All Rounders (Keemo Paul, Axar Patel)

Keemo Paul had a decent IPL debut. Even though he couldn’t fire with the bat, he did well with the ball in hand. The Caribbean all-rounder varied his pace cleverly and got the big first in the form of Kieron Pollard. He is just 21 years old and is still a work in progress. He is expected to get better as he plays more and more games.

Axar Patel will be the other all-rounder in this Delhi line-up. He had a poor outing against the Mumbai Indians but it is too early for DC to drop him. They will provide him with a few more opportunities in the eleven as he was in good form in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Axar should enjoy bowling on the Kotla pitch.

Bowlers (Amit Mishra, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma)

Kagiso Rabada had a great outing for DC in the game against Mumbai. He nailed yorkers easily and bowled some terrific slower balls. The South African picked up the wickets of Yuvraj Singh and Ben Cutting in that match. He is likely to continue sharing the pace responsibilities with Trent Boult, who looked a tad off-colour in the last match and gave away many full tosses. He will like to improve upon that aspect of his game.

Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma will be the Indian bowlers in this line-up. Mishra is likely to come in place of Rahul Tewatia. Even though he doesn’t have much to offer with the bat, the leg-spinner is a veteran in the format and brings great experience to the table. Ishant looked good to start off with but didn’t finish as he would have expected in the last game. He is likely to bowl out his four overs in the match quite early, yet again.

Here is Delhi Capital’s squad for IPL 2019

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