IPL 2021: Match 36 DC vs RR Preview, Playing XI, Live Streaming Details & Updates

Delhi Capitals are set to cross swords with Rajasthan Royals in their upcoming fixture of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The contest takes place at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Both teams have had contrasting campaigns in the tournament so far and the same makes DC firm favourites for this fixture. After all, the Rishabh Pant-led side the team standings with seven wins in nine games.

This means a win in the upcoming game would officially secure their spot in the playoffs. On the contrary, RR have blown hot and cold this season. With four wins in eight games, the Rajasthan-based side is fifth in the team standings. Nevertheless, they have started the UAE leg on a winning note, registering a thrilling two-run triumph against Punjab Kings in their last fixture.

It was indeed a jailbreak as Punjab Kings were on command for the best part while chasing 186 in Dubai. The equation even reduced to Punjab needing four runs of six balls. However, a stunning last over from Kartik Tyagi meant the Men in Pink came on top. However, there’s still a lot of room for improvement and the RR team management must be aware of the same.

Coming to DC, the Rishabh Pant-led side met Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last outing and they hardly put a foot wrong. Resuming from where they left off, the Delhi-based outfit dominated the contest is all three departments. After restricting the Orange Army for 134/9 in Dubai, Delhi didn’t break a sweat and chased down the total in mere 17.5 overs, winning the game by eight wickets.

In fact, it would be safe to say that DC have the most settled line-up this season. While the likes of Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw are mavericks, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje are wicket-taking machines. Besides them, skipper Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin are also proven stars of this format. Hence, DC have all the reasons to back themselves to lift the elusive title in the Arab nation.

When these two teams met each other in the first half of the tournament, a low-scoring game was witnessed which went right down to the wire. After opting to bowl in Chennai, Rajasthan restricted Delhi to a paltry 147/8. Although the target wasn’t massive, RR suffered a batting collapse. Nevertheless, a well-paced fifty from David Warner and a timely cameos from million-dollar baby Chris Morris took RR to a thrilling three-wicket win.

Pitch and Conditions

Batters have endured a hard time at this venue in the last couple of matches. While have gotten assistance early on, spinners have also come handy as the game progresses. Things, however, change in the latter half with the due coming into play. Hence, teams prefer to chase in Abu Dhabi. With this match taking place in afternoon, due is unlikely to play a part. Hence, it would be interesting to see how this game pans out.

Playing Combinations for DC vs RR

Delhi Capitals

As mentioned above, Delhi couldn’t do anything wrong in their last game. However, they suffered a significant blow in the form of Marcus Stoinis’ hamstring injury. Stoinis hurt his left hamstring while bowling early in his second over, limping off the field after bowling seven deliveries. Hence, he’s likely to miss the next game and his fellow Australian teammate Steve Smith can replace him in the playing XI.

Predicted XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis / Steve Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan

Rajasthan Royals

As far as Rajasthan Royals are concerned, many T20 stars like David Miller, Tabraiz Shamsi and Glenn Phillips warmed the benches in the last game. However, with the team emerging victoriously, they are likely to take the field with the same combination.

Predicted XI: Evin Lewis, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Liam Livingstone, Mahipal Lomror, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Chethan Sakariya, Kartik Tyagi, Mustafizur Rahman

DC vs RR Head-to-Head

Played –23 | Delhi Capitals – 11 | Rajasthan Royals– 12 |N/R – 0

DC vs RR Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 3:30 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar