Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings are coming off losses in their previous games and they will be eager to bounce back.
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One team paid a big price for a wrong captaincy decision. The other was blown away by a bowling masterclass. Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings arrive for this encounter on an equal footing, but the circumstances are different. Delhi Capitals have the resources to bounce back from the loss they suffered against Rajasthan Royals. However, when it comes to the Punjab Kings, the mental scars from the loss to Chennai Super Kings might take some time to heal.
There is one more similarity between the two sides. In their previous games, the top order was in shambles. Jaydev Unadkat blew away the Delhi Capitals. Deepak Chahar decimated the Punjab Kings. In both instances, it was high-quality seam bowling on a tacky Wankhede wicket that undid both sides.
Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings have top orders that are the envy of other sides in the IPL, with the exception of perhaps the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. On any given day, the top order can single-handedly win them games. It is the bowling where Delhi Capitals enjoy the edge. With Kagiso Rabada, Chris Woakes and R Ashwin in the line-up, this bowling attack could receive a further boost.
In IPL 2020, the first match between the two sides ended in a botched one-run short ruling. The match saw Punjab Kings lose two wickets in the final two balls as the match went into the Super Over. KL Rahul’s side lost in the Super Over and they would be hoping that history does not repeat itself in 2021.
Delhi Capitals might be tempted to get Anrich Nortje back in the line-up. The South Africa pacer, who was sidelined due to coronavirus, was training in the nets. If he is passed fit, then Nortje might replace Tom Curran. The England pacer has been struggling with confidence in the last few months and he could be out. The prospect of Rabada, Woakes and Nortje forming the core of the bowling is interesting.
For Punjab Kings, they might want to replace one of the Australia pacers with Moises Henriques. With Nicholas Pooran struggling for form, it might be a good move if they include Dawid Malan, the No.1 Twenty20 International batsman for a brief period.
Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ajinkya Rahane, Marcus Stoinis, Chris Woakes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Lalit Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, Tom Curran, Avesh Khan
Punjab Kings: KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran/Dawid Malan, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith/Moises Henriques, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
Match No.11: Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings
Venue: Wankhede stadium, Mumbai
Time: 7:30 PM IST
The weather in Mumbai will be hot and humid. The dew factor will be more in Mumbai. The pitch will offer some assistance at the start of the innings.
Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings have played 26 matches, with Punjab Kings winning 15 and losing 11.
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