It’s tempting, too tempting, not to view this game against the backdrop of unfinished business and the tension that comes with it. Delhi Capitals (DC) didn’t hold on to Rishabh Pant, who was whisked away by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a whopping INR 27 crore. Similarly, KL Rahul didn’t stay put with DC, which was hardly surprising, especially after how their clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad unfolded off the field under his leadership.
What makes it even more interesting is that KL Rahul is now playing for LSG this season. And with this being his first game against his former franchise, there’s additional intrigue in watching players from both sides face off against old loyalties.
Team Overview:
For the longest time, Delhi Capitals (DC) were the unbeaten side of the tournament. But they’ve now lost two of their last three games, and if not for Mitchell Starc’s brilliance in the Super Over against Rajasthan Royals (RR), it could easily have been three. Two defeats aren’t too alarming, but they do suggest something isn’t right.
To begin with, their opener, Jake Fraser-McGurk, doesn’t seem in any mood to step on the gas this season. DC are awaiting Faf du Plessis’ return to bench the young Australian, but fortune seems to be siding with Fraser McGurk for now.
Still, the rot isn’t limited to the top only. At the start of the season (until April 10), DC’s middle order had the highest average (46.75) among all teams. KL Rahul was building upward momentum, Tristan Stubbs was threatening through the middle overs, and Ashutosh Sharma was contributing with blistering cameos. But now, their average has dipped to a low 27.
Luckily for DC, their bowling gives them something to lean on. Kuldeep Yadav has been a touch expensive in the last two games, but hasn’t shown any worrying signs. With Vipraj Nigam and Axar Patel in his support, and a firing fast bowling attack led by Mitchell Starc, DC still have enough to carry on their winning ways.
Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, have lost only one of their last five games. And with a win in this game, they could replace DC at the second spot. They get much of their strength from the top three batters, including Mitchell Marsh, Aiden Markram, and Nicholas Pooran, who is just 49 runs short of stealing the orange cap from Sai Sudharsan. LSG might want their bowlers to shoulder more responsibility. Their best bowler is Shardul Thakur, who leaked 56 runs the last time they played at Ekana.
Head-to-Head Matches:
LSG and DC have faced each other six times so far, with both teams winning three games each.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Ekana Stadium has larger boundaries than most venues in the country. The pitches here are mainly made of red soil, which makes the surface sturdy and offers plenty to pacers; variable bounce, pace, and just plenty of spice with the new ball. Expect the bowlers to hold sway early on. Batting, however, should get easier as the match progresses.
Prediction:
LSG’s winning momentum places them in a better position heading into this clash. Add to that Ekana’s bowler-friendly surface, which should help cover for their slightly fragile bowling attack, which is currently their Achilles’ heel.
Where to Watch:
India: Star Sports Network, JioHotstar
Pakistan: Tapmad
UK: Sky Sports, SkyGo
USA: Willow TV
Australia: Kayo TV, FoxTel Go
Bangladesh: T Sports, Toffee app
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
Afghanistan: ATN
South Africa: SuperSport
Sri Lanka: Dialog
MENA: Cricbuzz
