Late arrivals, injuries, COVID-19 – several off-field factors affected Delhi Capitals (DC) in the first half of the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, will their full-strength squad (almost) back and raring to go, Rishabh Pant and Co. will look to register a few wins on the bounce to push their case for a spot in the playoffs as apart from the current top four teams, only DC are the one to haven’t lost 5 matches.
A few things are definitely going in favour of the Capitals whether it’s the sensational turnaround by Kuldeep Yadav or the destructive opening combination of pocket dynamos, David Warner and Prithvi Shaw or the improvement in Rovman Powell’s form. Pant would be hoping that they can build on these aspects to get a perfect game on the park.
Capitals have to figure out their pace bowling options as one of the major reasons for their inconsistency has been the fast bowling department. Mustafizur Rahman after pasting from Rajasthan Royals, came back in the last game, however, Shardul Thakur’s form has been a big concern as the bowling all-rounder hasn’t been able to provide the crucial breakthroughs and has gone for runs. Even though Chetan Sakariya did well on his debut for DC, they will ideally want to have Khaleel back as questions still remain on Anrich Nortje’s availability, who played only one game and gave away 35 runs in 2.2 overs against this very opposition, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Lucknow beat the Capitals when the two teams met for the first time in the season, earlier. KL Rahul and Co. have been one of the form sides, having won 6 games out of the 9 they have played and are just a couple of games, maybe three away from sealing a playoff spot.
The big worry for Lucknow has been the form of their batters. Apart from skipper Rahul, no one really has performed consistently and seeing the power in the Delhi line-up, LSG batters will have their task cut out. However, with Mohsin Khan and Dushmantha Chameera coming to the party, they have found a bowling combination that is able to restrict opponents more often than not and Andy Flower, Gautam Gambhir and Co. will hope for more of the same on Sunday as well.
Probable line-ups
Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Lalit Yadav, Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya/Khaleel Ahmed
Lucknow Super Giants: Quinton de Kock(w), KL Rahul(c), Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Jason Holder, Dushmantha Chameera, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan
