IPL 2023: Delhi Capitals up set for another pace test against Rajasthan Royals

When Delhi Capitals play Rajasthan Royals in an afternoon IPL match in Guwahati on Saturday, their batting line-up is likely to find some breathing room on a featherbed after being battered and bruised by raw pace in consecutive matches.

In Delhi’s lineup, players like Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan were harmed by Mark Wood (Lucknow Super Giants) and Alzarri Joseph (Gujarat Titans) in the first two games. Presently, when these skilled yet falling short on certainty willow wielders face an assault involving Trent Boult, KM Asif and Jason Holder they should arrange paces of mid-130 kmph.

Even though the pattern of scores at the Barsapara Stadium suggests that batters get value for their shots and that one can plonk his front foot and hit through the line, the guile and artistry of Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal on a hot late afternoon and early evening in Guwahati won’t be a pleasant proposition either.

The absence of the dangerous Jos Buttler, who sustained a bruise while taking a catch in the previous game and needed stitches on the little finger on his left hand, could be another factor that relieves the Delhi Capitals.

Even though batting with extra padding inside the gloves is still an option, the bruised area with stitches is likely to remain tender and sore. Fielding will be difficult as a result. Joe Root might be an option in the event that Buttler is unable to play.

Despite Rishabh Pant’s absence, Delhi Capitals appeared good on paper. However, the team didn’t initially realize the difficulties caused by Shaw and Sarfaraz’s weaknesses when facing international bowlers who are 10 miles faster than their Indian counterparts.

DC’s two defeats thus far have not yielded many positive outcomes, and the team’s main weakness is its lack of bench strength in terms of Indian talent, which does not inspire confidence.

Even if the coaching staff wants to try out other options in place of Sarfaraz, DC only has Yash Dhull, Ripal Patel, and Lalit Yadav on its Indian batting roster. None of these players can score at a strike rate of 150, so DC’s only options are to use those three.

At Guwahati, any complete under 190 will be obvious targets for the group pursuing however the midday match will unquestionably discredit the dew variable somewhat not at all like the prior game when Punjab Rulers’ bowlers were finding it challenging to grasp the ball crease up.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Sanju Samson have performed admirably for the Rajasthan Royals in their first two games, and they should present a challenge for players like Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed, and Kuldeep Yadav.

With southpaws Shimron Hetmyer and Jaiswal batting in the top six, the use of the “Impact Player” and Axar Patel’s utility as a bowler in DC’s strategy will be closely watched.

In the case of “Impact Player,” Aman Hakim Khan has been used in the first two games, and DC coach Ricky Ponting praises the Mumbai teenager highly. However, there was not much on display in either match.

Due to his poor matchups in the past, skipper David Warner is wary of giving Axar the ball when left-handers are at the crease. Rilee Rossouw is likely to continue because Rovman Powell is a big hitter but has trouble tackling spinners.

Despite losing their previous match, Rajasthan Royals remain the favorites to win this one

Teams:

Delhi Capitals: David Warner (captain), 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.

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson (captain), Jos Buttler (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravichandran Ashwin, KM Asif, Trent Boult, Dhruv Jurel, Kunal Singh Rathore, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Sen, Kuldip Yadav, Joe Root, Donovan Ferreira, KC Cariappa, Abdul Basith, Obed McCoy, Akash Vasisth, Sandeep Sharma, Adam Zampa, Murugan Ashwin.
Match Starts: 3:30 pm.