Rishabh Pant’s incredible comeback from a potentially fatal injury notwithstanding, the Delhi Capitals haven’t experienced much success this season. Given the challenges he faced to get back into professional sports, it makes sense that even the left-hander’s form hasn’t been spectacular. However, DC is running out of time since they have only managed one victory in their last five games. Every loss from now on will get them closer to the elimination stage.
Delhi has experienced a number of mishaps spanning several departments. To begin with, it defied logic for Prithvi Shaw to miss the first few games, and the youthful opener has made an impression with a few big blows, including a fifty against the Mumbai Indians in the previous game. The attack has been somewhat affected by Mukesh Kumar’s injury and the inconsistent bowling. The latest setback for DC, whose lone full game was against Chennai Super Kings, is Mitchell Marsh’s injury.
Conversely, the Lucknow Super Giants have been playing exceptionally well. They lost their opening game of the tournament to the Rajasthan Royals, but they have since won three straight. Two of those victories occurred in Lucknow, in their den. The bowling attack has compensated for the batting’s lack of full swing. While Mayank Yadav’s quick pace has garnered attention, other bowlers, particularly Krunal Pandya, have also performed admirably. Although captain KL Rahul has not yet produced much, LSG’s confidence will be increased by the fact that they have won three of their last four games.
Lucknow’s goal, like any aspirational side, is to establish the Ekana Cricket Stadium as a stronghold. LSG has been rather comfortable with the two victories because its bowlers have been making all of the decisions. The pitches have also benefited the bowlers, especially the pacers, which is helpful. Considering the type of bowling attack the DC camp have, it will also provide some relief. This game may present an opportunity for some of the free-stroking players on both sides who aren’t quite at their best to make an impression. This match might be fantastic if DC can perfect their tactics and team selection.
When: 19:30 IST on Friday, April 12.
Where: Cricket Stadium Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana, Lucknow
What to expect: The LSG’s first home game featured a cool surface that helped with strokeplay. That deck had a decent amount of bounce and pace, which let batters express themselves. The GT game’s field, nevertheless, was more akin to the Ekana surface from the previous season, when batting first only resulted in an average score of 148. The nature of the pitch will vary depending on whether it’s a red soil or black soil deck, but it will probably be another sports surface where the bowlers will be in the game all through.
Head-to-head: The Lucknow Super Giants are crushing the Delhi Capitals, leading 3-0.
Group observation:
Super Giants of Lucknow
Injury/Availability: After missing time due to a bad back, Mohsin Khan is expected to make a comeback to the starting lineup. While the think tank continues to keep an eye on Mayank Yadav’s workload, he is out for the week.
Strategies and matchups: This season, Krunal Pandya has been outstanding in the middle overs (7–15), scoring at a very economical rate of 4.98. Krunal tops the statistics for most wickets taken by LSG’s bowling assault vs DC. In addition to being the second-highest wicket-taker at Ekana, the left-arm spinner also boasts the best economy of any bowler. He does, however, face difficult opponents in David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, and Rishabh Pant. The performance of Krunal in this match could be crucial for LSG’s bowling strategy. When it comes to team substitutions, Mohsin ought to replace Mayank.
Yash Thakur, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Naveen-ul-Haq, M Siddharth, Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Devdutt Padikkal, Nicholas Pooran, and Ravi Bishnoi are the likely members of the starting XI. [Sub: Mohsin Khan for Impact]
The Delhi Capitals
Injury/Availability: After suffering a groin strain last week, Kuldeep Yadav’s return is still uncertain. Mitchell Marsh and Mukesh Kumar are both out for the time being, though the latter is reportedly moving quickly to make a return.
Strategies and matchups: Although David Warner hasn’t scored many large runs this season, he has been a major force in the powerplay, batting at 157.53 in the opening six overs. In the one game the Australian has played at Ekana Cricket Stadium, he scored fifty runs. Against the formidable bowling assault of LSG, Warner’s form will be critical. Given Anrich Nortje’s difficulties this season, DC may be inclined to give him a break. Jake Fraser-McGurk might be added to the batting lineup to provide more strength, but doing so would require them to punt with an additional Indian seamer. Rasikh Dar or Sumit Kumar might return to the starting eleven.
Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Jhye Richardson, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Rasikh Dar/Sumit Kumar are the likely members of the starting XI. Impact Sub: McGurk, Jake Fraser
Were you aware?
– Based on a sample size of 31 deliveries, Tristan Stubbs’ strike rate in the death overs (16–20) this season is 264.52.
– With an economy of just 6.64, Khaleel Ahmed has been incredibly tidy in the powerplay.
What they expressed
“I think we need to improve on a few areas – death-over bowling and our batting as well.” — Rishabh Pant
