Play time is over for LSG, DC as race for top four heats up

With two massive losses in a row, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have shot themselves in the foot, yet, they still have their fate in their own hands, at least for now, They can still reach the magical 16 points, which is certainly the first step towards making it through to the playoffs. Yet their poor net run rate could lead to their undoing in the end.

Delhi Capitals (DC), on the other hand, like LSG, are on 12 points, but they can go as high as 14, which means that they are heavily dependent on results from the other fixtures.

It’s that time of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season where teams have to fight it out for every run, every wicket, and take every chance that comes their way, failing which they will have to wait another year.

DC vs LSG Head-to-Head 

Overall: Matches 4 | DC 1 | LSG 3

This is the first meeting between the two sides in Delhi

Venue Details

The pacers may have a huge chunk of the wickets (61.1%) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in IPL 2024, but the spinners have been ahead in every other parameter. They have been more economical (Econ 10.9) and have struck once every 30.6 runs, 16.9 deliveries apart. 

Captains winning the toss have always opted to bat first here this season and have a 100% record so far. The average first innings score here has been 242/6. Safe to say, we have another run-fest on our hands. 

Weather Conditions

The weather in Delhi on Tuesday is expected to be 39°C at the start of the game, but it is expected to go down to 32°C by the end of it. We will certainly have a full game as there is absolutely no chance of any rain.

Things to watch out for

Will the catching improve at last?

LSG and DC have been two of the worst-catching sides in IPL 2024. While LSG have dropped 25 of their 47 catches (efficiency 65.3%), DC are not too far behind having spilt 23 of their 60 chances (efficiency 72.3%). In fact, Delhi bowling coach James Hopes had pointed out that his side dropping four catches against RCB on May 12 (Sunday) was the main reason behind their loss. 

Lucknow have also been the worst side when it comes to net runs saved (Runs saved minus Runs missed), which currently stands at -44.

Can LSG openers fire?

KL Rahul was praised for his approach in the powerplay in the initial stages of the tournament but since then, has failed to make any sort of impact, which is a cause for concern for LSG.

He has also not fared against pace this season, having been dismissed 10 times against them, but still maintains a healthy strike rate of 143. However, that goes down to 121 against the spinners. His opening partner, Quinton de Kock, too, made a good start to the tournament but has not been among the runs in the last five matches.

Pacers have got the better of him every time this tournament and out of them, he has fallen prey to left-arm pacers on six occasions. Khaleel Ahmed must be licking his lips at the sight of bowling to de Kock.

Bowling at just about that back-of-length or shorter whilst tucking him up for room will be key once again.

Probable XIs 

Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel , Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Rasikh Dar Salam, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed; David Warner/Lalit Yadav (IP)

Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Yash Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq; Yudhvir Singh Charak/M Siddharth (IP)

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