The State of Play
A meeting with opponents they have not beaten in their last four attempts is unlikely to have been the fixture Delhi Capitals would have chosen as they seek a first win of the IPL 2024 against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.
Equally ominously for the hosts, CSK have started their campaign with two wins: by six wickets over RCB and 63 runs against GT.
This is the first of two home games in four days for DC, who have been operating without four of their bowlers in Ishant Sharma, Shai Hope, Anrich Nortje and Jhye Richardson, but all-rounder Lalit Yadav could be involved against CSK.
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Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s track record in this fixture is encouraging, with a strike rate of 156.52, and DC coach Ricky Ponting says he is “very confident” that his team can “turn things around”.
“It’s against a good CSK team,” acknowledged the former Australia captain. “But we know our best cricket is going to be good enough against anybody.”
CSK have the leading wicket-taker from the opening two matches of the IPL within their ranks, Mustafizur Rahman taking six in eight overs so far.
The Bangladesh international has collected his haul at the expense of 59 runs and will be aiming to help keep the early leaders at the top of the table.
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Expected line-ups
Delhi Capitals: Warner, Marsh, Shaw, Pant (c, wk), Stubbs, Porel, Patel, Yadav, Kumar, Nortje, Ahmed
Chennai Super Kings: Gaikwad (c), Ravindra, Rahane, Dube, Mitchell, Jadeja, Rizvi, Dhoni (wk), Chahar, Deshpande, Pathirana
⏪ some batting marvels vs DC 💥🤜🤛#WhistlePodu #Yellove 💛🦁 pic.twitter.com/HWaYyiiyby
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 30, 2024
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Sunday’s match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm GMT.
In India, the games can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Prediction
On early performances and balance of squads, it is hard to look beyond the defending champions continuing their perfect start against hosts in contrasting form.
If DC are to get off the mark in the IPL in this match, veteran Australian David Warner could play a pivotal role: the new signing has a promising 78 from his two opening stints.
