IPL 2020: Qualifier 2, DC vs SRH – DC Predicted Playing XI

Delhi Capitals (DC), somehow, managed to make their way into the top two, ceasing their four-match losing streak in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, in the Qualifier 1, Mumbai Indians (MI) gave them a pasting, beating them by 57 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

It goes without saying that the defeat won’t be keeping them in good stead. They would next be facing the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Qualifier 2 on Sunday, November 8 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

In the league stage, the Capitals lost both their matches against the Orange Army. Both times they couldn’t chase down targets and may want to bat first this time around. As of now, it remains to be seen if the Capitals make any changes to their eleven from the last game.

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

Openers (Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw)

The Capitals would be worried about Prithvi Shaw’s form at the top of the order. The youngster’s form has completely dipped and he isn’t finding a solution out of the mess. Though he has a couple of fifties, which came in the early part of his campaign, he had seven single-digit scores in his last eight innings.

Shikhar Dhawan, on the other hand, has also fallen apart a wee bit after his twin centuries. In the Qualifier 1, he perished for a duck, failing to tackle a scorching yorker from Jasprit Bumrah.

But being DC’s leading run-scorer in the ongoing season, a lot of eyes will be on the left-hander performs in the crunch game.

Middle-order (Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer)

In the middle-order, Shreyas Iyer has been the standout. In 15 matches, he notched 433 runs at an average of 30.92. However, it’s his strike-rate of 123.36, which has been a bit of an issue for the Capitals.

Barring the game against KKR in Sharjah, the DC captain has strained to press the accelerator. Rishabh Pant is known as a clean striker of the cricket leather and as an overall strike-rate of 150 in the IPL.

To his sheer dismay, he has neither scored runs nor has he played at a high strike-rate, which is currently at 109.61. The Capitals may also think about roping in Shimron Hetmyer in place of Daniel Sams.

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

In the all-rounder’s category, Marcus Stoinis has been the standout performer. Though he lost a bit of form, he managed to get back his rhythm with his half-century in the first Qualifier in Dubai.

He took Rahul Chahar apart and showed what he is capable of. He also picked up an important wicket to get back amongst the wickets. Axar Patel is currently the most frugal bowler with an economy rate of 6.46.

He has picked up eight wickets, but he needs to make breakthroughs on a more frequent basis. Harshal Patel might be given a chance provided his all-round abilities. He has played five matches, picking up three wickets.

Bowlers (Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje)

In the bowling department, Kagiso Rabada slipped down to second in the Orange Cap list. He has 25 wickets to show for his efforts, but he hasn’t been at his very best over the last few games.

With an economy of 8.30, he has been expensive, but that’s understandable, keeping in mind the overs he bowls. Anrich Nortje has bowled with pace and venom and has 20 wickets at an economy rate similar to that of his South African teammate.

Ravi Ashwin hasn’t been off-colour by any means. He has 13 wickets in as many games at an economy rate of 7.50. His role, along with Rabada and Nortje will be crucial.