Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings will clash in the second match of the Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium on April 10. DC will open their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on April 10.
The Capitals finished as the runner-ups last season after they lost to Mumbai Indians in the final. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings failed to make it to the play-offs for the first time in their history after they finished on the seventh spot.
However, there were a few good signs for MS Dhoni’s men towards the end of last season, as they managed to win their last three games, thanks to some incredible performances by Ruturaj Gaikwad. In a major blow to Delhi Capitals, Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the IPL after a shoulder injury he suffered during the ODI series against England. As a result, Rishabh Pant was awarded the captaincy for the upcoming season.
Chennai Super Kings made some valuable additions to their squad at the IPL Auction. Moeen Ali, Krishnappa Gowtham were some of the big buys at the auction. As for Delhi Capitals, the likes of Steve Smith, Tom Curran and Sam Billings were picked up by the franchise. Delhi continue their quest for a maiden IPL title and are only one of the three franchises to yet win the tournament. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings are the second most successful team in the competition, winning the title on three occasions.
There have been positive developments in the DC camp in the past two seasons, as they have reached the play-offs in 2019 and 2020. However, they will be tested this season, as they will be without their regular captain, Shreyas Iyer. Moreover, it leaves a huge void in the middle order, and it will be interesting to see how Delhi copes with it.
Key Players
Rishabh Pant is certainly Delhi’s X-factor this season. The Delhi batsman has had an incredible last few months, where he has established himself as a regular in all three formats of the game for India. He showed his class against Australia, as he guided a young Indian side to a Test series victory over the hosts, and continued his dominating performance against England. He scored 343 runs last season at an average of 31.18, including one fifty, which he scored in the finals against Mumbai Indians.
Shikhar Dhawan had an incredible IPL season last year, where he scored 618 runs at an average of 44.14. He scored two centuries last season, which were scored in back-to-back matches. The left-hander also ended as the season’s second-highest run-scorer and helped his side finish as the runner-ups. Dhawan has plenty of IPL experience, having scored 5197 runs at an average of 34.41. He will hope to carry on with his good performances this year as well.
Ruturaj Gaikwad inspired Chennai Super Kings to three consecutive wins at the end of the tournament. The Indian batsman scored 204 runs in his six innings at an average of 51. Moreover, he scored three consecutive half-centuries against KKR, RCB and Punjab, earning player of the match awards in each. He is expected to open the batting this season, alongside the South African, Faf du Plessis, who was Chennai’s top-run scorer last season.
Sam Curran will be a key player for Chennai this season. The all-rounder scored 186 runs last season and has handy with the ball as well. The Englishman picked up 13 wickets last season at an average of 26.46 and was often the match-winner for the ‘Men in Yellow.’ Although Chennai have plenty of all-rounders in their squad, Sam Curran is almost certain to feature in the playing eleven.
Prediction
Delhi Capitals will have to field a depleted eleven for the fixture against Chennai Super Kings. Axar Patel tested positive for COVID-19, so he is ruled out for the first couple of matches. On the other hand, the South African duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje still serve their time under isolation and are expected to return for the next game.
CSK will be in with a real opportunity to get their season off to a flying start. Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the entire series against England due to an injury, is available for selection. Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant will have to deliver with the bat this season if the Capitals are to have another good season. Prithvi Shaw comes into the tournament on the back of an incredible domestic season and will open the batting alongside Shikhar Dhawan. Chris Woakes and Tom Curran are expected to fill the void left by Rabada and Nortje, and Umesh Yadav is expected to be the third seamer.
