TACTICAL PREVIEW
Follow UsAfter 34 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are finally set to play their first match at home. Their homecoming could not have been any sweeter, given that they go into this game after back-to-back wins. They seem to be peaking at the right time; only two days ago, they sent shockwaves across the competition after bowling Gujarat Titans (GT) for just 89 in Ahmedabad.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are no strangers to making a statement either. After all, it was only in their previous game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) that they registered the highest total in IPL history, beating their own record from a few matches ago. Do not be surprised if they breach the threshold once again.
Like DC, SRH, too, are in excellent form, having won three on the bounce. A win for either side will go a long way in aiding them to reach the top four. If history is anything to go by, DC have the edge over SRH, but it is the other way around when it comes to playing at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Who will have the final laugh on April 20 (Saturday)?
DC vs SRH Head-to-Head
Overall - Games 23 | DC 11 | SRH 12
In Delhi - Games 5 | DC 1 | SRH 4
Since 2021 - Games 5 | DC 4 | SRH 1
Venue details
In the IPL last season, the pacers had the upper hand at the Arun Jaitley Stadium given that they took a little over 58% of the wickets, but they were also been expensive, conceding at 9.2 runs per over, compared to the spinners who went for just 7.5 RPO. However, the pacers, though, struck once every 19 deliveries, compared to the spinners (20.3).
The average first innings total here last season was 176/7, and the captain winning the toss opted to bowl on four occasions. Incidentally, all the games were won by the team chasing, and the trend could very well continue on Saturday.
Weather forecast
Even though there is going to be cloud cover hovering around, no rain is expected. At the start of the match, the temperature is expected to be 32°C, but it is expected to cool down as the game progresses. The humidity will be between 25-33% throughout the game.
Things to watch out for
DC spinners come to the party
DC have the best spin unit this season so far. Their 13 wickets have come at an average of 22.4 and a strike rate of 19.4. On the forefront of that has been Kuldeep Yadav, who, despite missing a few games, looked at his sharpest in the last couple of encounters. While Kuldeep has six wickets at an economy rate of 6.1 – the best this season (Min 10 overs) – he has been well-supported by Axar Patel, who has struck five times this season, conceding just 6.8 runs per over.
Since moving to DC in 2022, Kuldeep has turned a corner. He has just grown in confidence and is a vital cog in their setup.
Will SRH’s pace unit find control?
SRH have the highest economy rate (13.3) and have also taken the least wickets (6) at the death in the IPL this season, which is contrary to their batting unit, which is among the best this season. Their poor show at the death is a testament to how poorly their fast bowlers have fared. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar has conceded 17 an over, Jaydev Unadkat has been smashed for 13 an over in the last five overs. Amidst the carnage, T Natarajan (Econ 10) and Pat Cummins (10.5) too have not been spared.
However, Cummins has ruled the roost in the powerplay and the middle overs. While he has maintained an ER of 5.8 in the powerplay (second-best), he has struck six times in the middle phase – joint-most for a pacer. If SRH manage to control the leak at the death, they could be unstoppable.
Probable XIs:
David Warner missed the last game against GT due to a finger injury. While he escaped fracture, there was some swelling around his left knuckle, which prompted the management to tread lightly. The latest is that a call on his participation will be made closer to the game.
Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner/Sumit Kumar, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Tristan Stubbs, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed; Abishek Porel/Lalit Yadav (IP)
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Nitish Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, T Natarajan; Mayank Markande/Anmolpreet Singh (IP)
Telecast and streaming details
The match will be live on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on Jio Cinema. The game will start at 7:30 PM, with the toss happening at 7 PM.
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