IPL 2019 – Match 53: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – DC Predicted Playing XI

Delhi Capitals (DC) were flying high and above everyone. However, a loss against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has bought them crashing down. They were spun into submission at the Chepauk in the battle of the table toppers. Despite having the upper hand for a large part with the ball, Delhi lost their way in the back half as they leaked a lot of runs at the death. With the bat as well, they wasted a good start and were eventually bowled out for 99. DC lost their last nine wickets for 47 runs.

However, DC has qualified for the playoffs. This loss has affected their net run rate which may intern affect their chances of finishing in the top two. They play their final group stage encounter at home against Rajasthan Royals. However, Delhi doesn’t quite like playing at the Feroz Shah Kotla. They did win their last two games here but adapting the different kinds of surfaces produced here has been a challenge.

Moreover, the pitch tends to play low and slow which goes against the natural style of most of their batsmen. However, they will look to finish the league stages on a high and a win here would keep them in contention for a top-two finish. However, they will not only have to beat RR but also hope MI lose their last game to KKR as MI are way ahead of DC on the net run rate. Moreover, DC has been jolted with a huge blow as Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the remainder of the season.

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw)

Shikhar Dhawan has been the backbone of this Delhi Capitals batting line-up. He’s been the bank for Delhi this season and has been very consistent. The 33-year-old left-hander has given solid starts. In the last game, his wicket triggered a collapse and it also broke his streak of three fifty-plus scores.

Prithvi Shaw has been a disappointment this season. He averages just 21.84 and has just one fifty to his name. He’s been finding ways of getting out. In the last game against CSK, he hit a short and wide delivery straight to cover-point. While he may be looking good in his brief stays but he needs to convert it into big knocks.

Also Read: IPL 2019 – Match 53: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – RR Predicted Playing XI

Middle-order (Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Colin Ingram, Sherfane Rutherford)

The other Delhi batsman who has been consistent is Shreyas Iyer. He’s controlled the game really well coming in at No. 3. Along with Dhawan, he has led the charge with the bat this season for DC. Iyer was DC’s best batsman in the last game as well. While the team fell away pretty quickly, he scored a fluent 44 at the top. Rishabh Pant has been guilty of throwing his wicket away on multiple occasions this season.

He did that in the last game too as he tried to smash Imran Tahir for a six. Colin Ingram hasn’t really fired and has an average of 19.11 this season. He’s the only Delhi batsman in the top five that hasn’t accumulated 200 runs this season. Meanwhile, Sherfane Rutherford impressed in one innings but the sample size is too small to judge his form as he’s remained unbeaten in two out of the four innings he’s batted.

All-rounder (Axar Patel)

Axar Patel has been decent this season. With the bat, he’s chipped in a few times, playing small but effective cameos. With the ball, he has kept things pretty tight. He didn’t really have a great game at the Chepauk. One would’ve expected him to do better than the 1/31 he picked up on a turning track.

Bowlers (Jagadeesha Suchith, Amit Mishra, Trent Boult, Ishant Sharma)

DC missed two of their big guns in the bowling attack. Kagiso Rabada had a slight niggle and was rested. Ishant was also nursing an ankle injury. However, Rabada has been ruled out of the IPL due to a back niggle. Thus, only Ishant Sharma might be back for this encounter. Trent Boult has played just a couple of games so far and was good with the new ball in the last game.

Hence, he will most likely continue to hold onto his spot. Jagadeesha Suchith made his debut for the Delhi Capitals in the last game and did well. He returned with figures of 2/28 in his four overs. Meanwhile, Amit Mishra has been under-bowled quite often this season. Despite the pitch assisting the spinners and Mishra bowling well, the veteran leggie didn’t complete his quota of overs in the last game.

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