IPL 2020: Match 11, DC vs SRH- DC Predicted Playing XI

Delhi Capitals (DC) have made an incredible start to the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After surviving a close shave against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Shreyas Iyer and Co put their best foot forward against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Following the Super Over hassle in the opening game, they rolled over MS Dhoni’s men by 44 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Having played two games in Dubai, DC are set to go to Abu Dhabi for their third match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday, September 29.

The Sunrisers, on the other hand, have strained to say the least. David Warner’s men are the cellar dwellers, losing both their matches. As far as DC goes, it remains to be whether or not they tinker with their winning combination for the  game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Here is the Predicted Playing XI for the Delhi Capitals for DC vs SRH game: 

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw)

Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw should be persisted with as the opening pair. The former is yet to hit his straps completely, having scored only 35 runs from the two matches he has played thus far. However, all those runs came in the last match, meaning that he has started to find some rhythm.

The left-hander would now be looking for a fifty-plus score and contribute more significantly. Shaw, on the other hand, started with a low score against KXIP. But he managed to make amends with a sparkling 64 versus the Super Kings.

He also became the Player of the Match and that should keep him in good stead. Shaw is someone, who prefers to play his strokes freely and doesn’t allow the bowlers to settle down. The Capitals would hope for both Shaw and Dhawan to click next time.

Middle-order (Shimron Hetmyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK))

The middle-order should remain the same. It remains to be seen where Shimron Hetmyer bats as the left-hander didn’t get a chance despite three Capitals’ wickets went down versus CSK. He couldn’t get going in the opening contest and would be looking for a decent knock under his belt.

Rishabh Pant has looked in ominous touch, scoring 68 runs at an average of 68 at a decent strike-rate of 125.92. He was circumspect against KXIP, but flexed his muscles last time around, injecting impetus in the death overs.

Shreyas Iyer, the DC captain, has had a couple of reasonable outings. The youngster hasn’t gone hammer and tongs, playing a strike-rate of 120.37. The right-hander has mostly dealt in singles and doubles as he has 65 runs with the help of just one four and thjree hits over the ropes.

All-rounders (Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel)

The Capitals may include Harshal Patel in place of Avesh Khan. The latter played the game against CSK, coming in place of Mohit Sharma, but flattered to deceive. On a tough batting-strip, he leaked runs at more than 10 per over. As far as Harshal is concerned, he is more than a handy bowler.

Most importantly, he can churn out some lusty blows and it’s evident from his T20 strike-rate of 153.81. Marcus Stoinis and Axar Patel remains to be the other all-rounders. Stoinis got a quire-fire knock in the first game and also got two wickets, including that of Mayank Agarwal at a crucial juncture.

He didn’t have much to do against CSK though. Axar Patel has been on top of his game. In eight overs, the left-arm spinner has given away only 32 runs at an economy of four and has two wickets as well.

Bowlers (Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Amit Mishra)

Amit Mishra replaced Ravi Ashwin for the last match and he didn’t disappoint. Albeit he failed to pick up a wicket, he kept the CSK batters quiet, conceding only 23 runs in his quota of four overs. Hence, he is almost certain to retain his position in the playing eleven.

It’s pertinent to note that Mishra is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the history of the IPL after Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga. Anrich Nortje wasn’t lucky to get a wicket in the first game despite bending his back.

Nevertheless, he turned up with a couple last time around and is in pretty good shape. It goes without saying that South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada will be leading the pace-attack. He has been their standout pacer as he has five wickets at an economy of 6.75. The fast bowler also became the Purple Cap holder.