Strongest Delhi Capitals (DC) Playing XI Against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)

Ahead of IPL 2021, Delhi Capitals were deemed as the favorites to win their maiden title. The franchise has been living up to its reputation in the ongoing 14th edition of the T20 etravaganza as they have performed decently thus far. In their four matches in IPL 2021, DC has registered a win against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Punjab Kings.

Their only loss came against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With three wins under their belt, the team is proudly sitting at the third position in the points table just behind Royal Challengers Bangalore and CSK. The runners-up of IPL 2020 will be hoping to continue their winning momentum as they face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their next game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Here’s DC’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2021 Match 20

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw)

One of the highlights of Delhi’s successful campaign in the ongoing 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the terrific form of the opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan has been highly impressive with the willow as he has scored runs in almost all the games for the team.

The left-hander is also a proud owner of Orange Cap as he has a stunning 231 runs in four matches at an average of 57.75. DC’s other opener Prithvi Shaw has also been decent as he has registered scores of 72, 2, 32, and 7 in the four games respectively.

Middle Order (Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (C and WK), Shimron Hetmyer)

Former Australian captain Steve Smith looked in decent touch in the match against Mumbai Indians. While batting at the sluggish pitch of the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Smith played a balanced knock of 33 runs off 29 deliveries. The presence of the right-hander in the batting line-up provides the required stability to the team as it allows explosive power-hitters like Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer to play their natural game.

The newly-appointed skipper Rishabh Pant was in fine touch at the start of the IPL 2021 as he played a match-defining knock of 51 runs off 32 balls against Rajasthan Royals. However, since then there has been a decline in the form of the young wicketkeeper-batsman as he lost his wickets while playing at 15 and 7 respectively. Though DC has been winning games without Rishabh firing with the willow, the skipper will be hoping to regain his form soon.

The pitches of Chennai can make the life of batters difficult as there have been many games when the teams have witnessed a collapse of their batting line-up. To tackle the issue, DC decided to increase their batting depth while playing their first match in Chennai. The Capitals replaced pacer Chris Woakes with Shmiron Hetmyer. Hetmyer scored not out 14 against MI and DC is likely to play with the same strategy against SRH too.

All-Rounders (Marcus Stoinis, Lalit Yadav)

After a torrid start to IPL 2021, Delhi Capitals’ celebrated all-rounder Marcus Stoinis seems to have regained his form both with the bat and the ball. Stoinis didn’t get a chance to bat in the match against Mumbai Indians but he delivered a fine performance with the ball to contribute to the teams’ victory.

In his three overs, the 31-year-old gave the first breakthrough to DC as he picked a crucial wicket of Quinton de Kock. In addition, he gave just 20 runs while bowling at an economy rate of 6.7. Apart from Stoinis, the other all-rounder who is expected to find a place in DC’s Playing XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) has to be Lalit Yadav.

The pitch of Chennai suited the spin all-rounder as he was DC’s most successful bowler in terms of the economy rate as he gave just 17 runs in four overs at an economy rate of 4.2. The 24-year-old also picked the wicket of Krunal Pandya along with playing a crucial knock of 22 off 25 with the willow. 

Bowlers (Ravi Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Kagiso Rabada)

Playing their first match in Chennai, Delhi Capitals made a tactical move as they decided to replace the speedster Lukman Meriwala with the spinner Amit Mishra. The decision by the runner-up proved to a masterstroke as MA Chidambaram Stadium is known as a spinners paradise and Mishra made the most out of the surface as he delivered a Man of the Match performance.

Playing against Mumbai Indians, Amit Mishra scalped as many as four wickets while conceding runs at an economy of just 6. Mishra’s exploits helped DC in restricting MI to a below-par total of 137 and winning the match by six wickets. Thus, as the Capitals will be playing their next match at the same venue, they are unlikely to make any change in their spin attack comprising Mishra and Ravi Ashwin. 

In addition, Kagiso Rabada and Avesh Khan will be essaying the role of two frontline pacers for Delhi. While Rabada is a star player and has played a vital cog in DC’s success in recent years, Avesh has been highly impressive in IPL 2021.