IPL 2020: Match 7, CSK vs DC- DC Predicted Playing XI

The Delhi Capitals (DC) had a lucky escape in their first game of the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). Shreyas Iyer and Co defended one run off the last three balls against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) following which they survived the heat in the one-over eliminator.

They are next scheduled to lock horns with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday, September 25 at the iconic Dubai International Stadium. The Super Kings are coming off a 16-run defeat at the hands of the Rajasthan Royals (RR), but they managed to score 200 runs in that encounter.

In the history of IPL, MS Dhoni’s men have mostly dominated the Capitals, having also defeated them three times in 2019. For the time being, going into the next game, it remains to be seen whether or not DC make any changes to their lineup.

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

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw)

Both Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw flattered to deceive in their previous matches. Both got out in the single digits. Even as the latter got out while trying to take on the opposition bowling, Dhawan perished to a run-out in the same ball where his catch was dropped.

Going into the second match, both batters would be looking to find some rhythm and gain momentum for the rest of the event. Dhawan has decent numbers against the Super Kings, having scored 641 against them at a decent average and strike-rate of 35.61 and 122.56 respectively.

He also has six fifties with a top score of 79. Hence, it goes without saying that the Capitals will again pin hopes on him to deliver. Shaw, on the other hand, is someone, who likes to play his shots and he may continue with the same game-plan.

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

The middle-order is expected to remain the same. Shimron Hetmyer, who moved from the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the last auction, failed in his maiden outing for the Capitals. The left-hander smashed one boundary, but ended up scoring seven off as many as 13 balls.

Speedster Mohammed Shami ended his misery when the West Indies’ batter tried to clear the cover region. Shreyas Iyer wasn’t the most fluent batter last time, but he did his job with precision. After the Capitals lost three early wickets, he churned out a 32-ball 39 with the help of three sixes.

Rishabh Pant also wasn’t free-flowing either, but he moulded his game as per the match-situation. The left-handed youngster scored 31 runs off 29 balls with four fours in a 73-run partnership with captain Iyer.

All-rounders (Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel)

The Capitals are likely to persist with Marcus Stoinis and Axar Patel as their specialist all-rounders. Stoinis, who also was a part of RCB in 2019, put his best foot forward in DC’s opening match. In the death overs, he got a 21-ball 53 with the help of seven fours and three sixes.

With the ball in hand, he bowled the 20th over, and picked up the crucial wickets of Mayank Agarwal and Chris Jordan. As far as Axar was concerned, he couldn’t quite step up with the bat in hand. However, he was at his very best with his left-arm spin.

He turned the screws on the opposition in the middle-overs, conceding only 14 runs in his four overs. He also picked up the important wicket of Sarfaraz Khan, who was looking good at a run-a-ball 12. Both Stoinis and Patel are expected to play crucial roles next time as well.

Bowlers (Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma)

In the bowling department, the Capitals might make an unforced change. Ravi Ashwin got injured in the last game after bowling one over where he dismissed Nicholas Pooran and Karun Nair. If he doesn’t play, Amit Mishra, the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, is likely to get a chance.

The fast bowling department, consisting of Nortje, Rabada and Sharma, may remain the same. Nortje went wicketless last time and he will look to be amongst the wickets. Rabada was at his very best, picking two wickets in the mandatory 20 overs after which he delivered in the Super Over.

He managed to replicate what he did in the previous season. Mohit Sharma got rid of opposition captain KL Rahul and looked decent early on. However, the fasr bowler needs to sort out his issues in the death overs.