IPL 2021: Match 2 CSK vs DC Preview, Playing XI, Live Streaming Details & Updates

Wicket-keeper vs wicket-keeper. Captain vs Captain. Emperor vs Heir Apparent. Dhoni vs Pant. Who will emerge as the winner?

Published - 09 Apr 2021, 14:13 IST | Updated - 09 Apr 2021, 14:13 IST

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In what will be a battle between the master and his apprentice, MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals (DC) will clash against each other in the second match of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

While Dhoni is the veteran and has seen it all and done it all, Pant will don the skipper’s hat for the first time in IPL cricket on a full-time basis in the 14th IPL edition. The Chennai side looked out of sorts in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Finally, the law of averages caught up with MS Dhoni and his men, as the ‘Yellow Brigade’ failed to qualify for the Playoffs for the first time last year.

On the other hand, the Delhi Capitals (DC) played some dynamic cricket last season and reached the summit clash of the 2020 edition of the IPL. And, they now have a leader in Rishabh Pant who mirrors the brand of cricket that they play. Pant is fearless, and brings with him a ‘No Holds Barred’ approach.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) shelled out INR 9.25 Crores to procure the services of spinner Krishnappa Gowtham in the 2021 IPL auctions. Along with Gowtham, they also bought Moeen Ali for a gargantuan sum of INR 7 Crores. The Chennai side has a plethora of spinning options in their arsenal, as the likes of Imran Tahir, Karn Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Krishnappa Gowtham are capable of giving the ball a spin.

On the other hand, the Delhi Capitals made some personnel changes ahead of the 2021 edition of the IPL as well. Tom Curran was the biggest signing for the Delhi outfit, and they spent INR 5.25 Crores to pouch the England pacer. The Delhi side also bought Australian batting colossus, Steve Smith, for just INR 2.2 Crores. The other two big signings for Delhi were Sam Billings and Umesh Yadav. While Billings was bought for a sum of INR 2 Crores, Yadav was a steal for Delhi, as they managed to buy him for his base price of INR 1 Crore.

So, wicket-keeper vs wicket-keeper. Captain vs Captain. Emperor vs Heir Apparent. Dhoni vs Pant. Who will emerge as the winner?

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium will favor the batsman. The ball will come onto the bat, and if the willow wielders can get through the initial uncertain period, they can make it big on this surface.

Playing Combinations for CSK vs DC

Chennai Super Kings

For the Chennai side, one out of Robin Uthappa or Ruturaj Gaikwad will open alongside Faf Du Plessis. Suresh Raina will make his long-awaited return in the yellow jersey and will occupy the No.3 spot. Ambati Rayudu, skipper MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, and Ravindra Jadeja pick themselves. It will be a toss-up between Moeen Ali and Imran Tahir for the No.8 slot. CSK will field three pacers in Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, and Deepak Chahar.

Predicted Playing XI: Robin Uthappa/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf Du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (C and WK), Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali/Imran Tahir, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar

Bench: Robin Uthappa/Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali/Imran Tahir, KM Asif, Bhagath Verma, C Hari Nishanth, Narayan Jagadeesan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Harishankar Reddy, Sai Kishore, Mitchell Santner, Karn Sharma

Delhi Capitals

For Delhi, the experienced Shikhar Dhawan will open the batting with the explosive Prithvi Shaw. Steve Smith, skipper Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis, and Shimron Hetmyer will complete the middle order. Either Tom Curran or Chris Woakes will come in at No.7. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel is not available for selection. And so, the two spinners who are likely to play are Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra. Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma will complete the Delhi lineup.

Predicted Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (C and WK), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Woakes/Tom Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma

Bench: Shimron Hetmyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Avesh Khan, Praveen Dubey, Lukman Meriwala, Axar Patel, Ripal Patel, Manimaran Siddharth, Vishnu Vinod, Lalit Yadav.