IPL 2022: Match 32 - Predicted Delhi Capitals Playing XI vs Punjab Kings

Delhi Capitals were on top in their previous match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, somehow they managed to let the game slip away from their grasp. Not just against RCB, but this has been the story for DC in IPL 2022. The Capitals have somehow let their opponents make a comeback in the game and eventually beat them.

DC are currently placed in the eighth spot in the points table with just two wins in their five matches. They have suffered defeats at the hands of RCB, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and Gujarat Titans (GT). DC, however, have also managed to beat the five-time champions Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

DC will now lock horns with the Punjab Kings in their next group stage match of the IPL. The encounter will take place at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on April 20 (Wednesday). In bad news for Capital fans, the star all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has tested positive in his Covid-19 test and won’t be available.

Here’s the Delhi Capitals Predicted Playing XI vs Punjab Kings:

Openers: David Warner and Prithvi Shaw

After failing to perform in his first match, Australian opener David Warner was in hot form in the previous two encounters. While the left-handed batter scored 66 runs against RCB, he was also excellent with the bat against KKR as well, making 61 off 45 balls. Warner will look to continue his good form against PBKS as well.

Just like Warner, Prithvi Shaw has been in excellent touch as well. The right-handed batter has given some explosive starts to his franchise this season and will look to emulate his batting antics against the Punjab Kings as well. The 22-year-old has already struck two half-centuries in the tournament so far.

Middle Order: Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Rovman Powell, Lalit Yadav

Batter Sarfaraz Khan scored an excellent 36 off 28 balls against LSG but did not get to bat in DC’s next encounter against KKR, before being dropped for their last match against RCB. The 24-year-old packs a punch and is expected to make a comeback in the Capitals side for their next match against PBKS.

Skipper Rishabh Pant has been amongst the runs in IPL 2022. However, the left-handed batter has not shown his full capabilities in this edition so far. Pant played a decent knock of 34 runs in just 17 balls against the Red Army, but that was not enough for his team to get over the line. The captain will look to take more responsibility with the bat and give a winning contribution to his team.

Barring his match-winning knock of 48* in the first match against Mumbai Indians, Lalit Yadav has failed to impress and has only managed 75 runs from five matches. The 25-year-old certainly needs some runs from his bat, or else he can be replaced by some other talented batter warming the bench for DC.

As Mitchell Marsh is set to miss the game against PBKS, West Indies all-rounder Rovman Powell is expected to be given another chance to show his hitting abilities with the bat. Powell will want to make some handy contribution with the bat in DC’s next match against the Punjab Kings.

All Rounders: Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur

Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur have been two key performers for Delhi this season so far. The all-rounder duo was involved in a match-winning partnership in their encounter against KKR where they combined for an unbeaten 49-run stand for the sixth wicket. Similarly, in the last match against RCB, both Shardul (17 off 9) and Axar (10* off 7) tried to chase the total for their team, but could not succeed.

Even though RCB posted a big total of 189 runs, both Axar and Shardul were very economical in their respective four overs and scalped one wicket each. However, DC fans have not seen the best of both talented players and will want them to go all guns blazing in their next match against PBKS.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, and Khaleel Ahmed

Spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been in excellent form in IPL 2022. The chinaman was adjudged the Player of the Match for his impressive performance against his former franchise KKR for his figures of 4/35 from his four overs. The spinner will want to continue his good form and eye a comeback in the national squad for the T20 World Cup later this year.

Both left-arm pacers, Khaleel Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have been doing their jobs quietly for DC so far. They have taken some crucial wickets for their franchise and have bowled well in the death overs as well. However, both Khaleel and Mustafizur were quite expensive in their last game and they will want to improve their bowling performance against the strong batting line-up of PBKS.

Here’s Delhi Capitals’ Predicted XI: David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Lalit Yadav, Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Khaleel Ahmed.