Punjab Kings might be keen to register a big win to keep their IPL play-off hopes alive against picket spooners Delhi Capitals, who will play for satisfaction when the 2 groups face off in Dharamsala on Wednesday (May 17).
It has been a roller-coaster trip for PBKS, with six losses and as many wins. They are positioned at eighth spot with 12 factors and are nonetheless in rivalry to make the qualifiers.
However, they want to enhance their internet run charge (NRR), which stands at -0.268.
A 31-run win against the Capitals final week boosted their NRR and morale and the Shikhar Dhawan-led facet will hope for an encore after which hope that different outcomes go their manner.
Punjab may have to put up a a lot improved effort with the bat. Against Delhi, opener Prabhsimran Singh waged a lone battle. Barring Dhawan, who has been their finest batter, and to an extent Prabhsimran Singh, only a few PBKS batters have contributed sufficient to their general totals.
Their bowlers additionally want to pull up their socks. Boasting of a sound bowling assault with Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran and Arshdeep Singh, PBKS have usually failed to defend runs.
On the opposite hand, Delhi Capitals have had a nightmare of a season and have already been knocked out of the play-off rivalry.
The batting unit has disenchanted all season. Delhi’s Indian batters, barring Axar Patel, have flattered to deceive, placing up a dismal present.
The abject failure of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan has contributed considerably to Delhi Capitals’ travails this season, forcing the think-tank to pack all their abroad gamers on the prime.
Skipper David Warner, wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh have given the group some momentum with the willow. But as soon as they’re gone, the center order simply crumbles.
In their earlier sport against Punjab, the Capitals appeared on track for a cushty win however then misplaced eight wickets for 67 runs.
The Indian bowlers within the facet are usually not faring as badly because the batters. Three of DC’s 4 wins have come on the again of dominant bowling shows.
Old warhorse Ishant Sharma has accomplished his job whereas the return of Khaleel Ahmed has additionally helped.
Anrich Nortje, who had returned dwelling for private causes, is again however it’s to be seen if Delhi proceed with the 4 abroad batters on the prime or carry the South African pacer to tighten their bowling assault.
The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have bowled economically.
The squads:
Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shahrukh Khan, Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Mohit Rathee, Shivam Singh.
Delhi Capitals: David Warner (c), Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Hakim Khan, Abhishek Porel (wk), Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Rovman Powell, Rilee Rossouw, Anrich Nortje, Mustafizur Rahaman, Chetan Sakariya, Mukesh Kumar, Phil Salt, Lungi Ngidi, Praveen Dubey, Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel, Vicky Ostwal, Ishant Sharma, Manish Pandey, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Yash Dhull.
Match begins at 7:30 pm IST.
