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Match Details
Date: 2 May, 2021
Time: 7:30 PM (IST)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Live Ball-by-Ball Commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview:
It's a super Sunday next in IPL as the fans will witness a double header on the day. While Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad will fight it out in the day match, it will be Punjab Kings up against the Delhi Capitals in the evening clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Both Punjab and Delhi will head into this contest on the back of a win in their respective clashes. While DC registered a convincing win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their last game, PBKS put up a splendid show to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 34 runs. Despite a dominating performance by both sides in their respective previous games, there is a significant gap between the two sides in the points tally simply because Delhi have been the more consistent side while Punjab have blown hot and cold so far in the season.
With 5 wins from 7 matches, Delhi are placed at number 2 in points tally but with three wins from their 7 games, Punjab are at the fifth place. However, in a fresh game and given what PBKS are capable of doing against the top sides, it will be a battle of nerves between the two teams, one that is guaranteed to leave the fans entertained.
Head-to-head (in IPL)
Matches played: 27
Punjab Kings: 15
Delhi Capitals: 12
Key Players
KL Rahul:
KL Rahul is the current Orange Cup holder in IPL 2021. Not only has he been consistently scoring runs but he has showed in his last match against RCB that he can score them at an impactful strike rate too, if given a chance. The Karnataka batsman will be the key yet again and Delhi Capitals would want to get red of him early on because if he bats deep into the innings, Punjab are sure to post a big total and have a good chance of chasing down anything on the board.
Avesh Khan:
It's heartening to see Avesh Khan's growth as a bowler. While he had been making sporadic impactful performances earlier, this season he has been a consistent wicket-taker and is even in the list of highest wicket-takers of the tournament. If he can continue to do well for the remaining matches of the season, there is every chance he might get to represent India very soon. With a chance to lead his team to their first ever title and possibly impress the national selectors in the process, he is a man on a mission and a key player to watch out for.
Chris Gayle:
Chris Gayle has really allowed the likes of KL Rahul and others to bat around him freely. Even in their last match against RCB, Gayle produced a cameo which gave the momentum to the PBKS side and eventually helped them reach a challenging 179. However, the Universe Boss would look to score big. A proper Gayle storm hasn't quite arrived and when it does PBKS fans would be cheering at the top of their voices from their homes. Can Delhi be on the receiving end of one such storm on Sunday? We shall find out.
Probable Playing XI
Punjab Kings:
KL Rahul (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Chris Jordan, Riley Meredith/Jhye Richardson, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami
Delhi Capitals:
Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan