Delhi Capitals Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
When Shreyas Iyer was declared unavailable due to a shoulder injury ahead of the start of IPL 2021, many cricketing fans thought that the Delhi Capitals will not be able to replicate their performance from IPL 2020, where they lost to Mumbai Indians in the final. However, with Rishabh Pant leading the team, Delhi capitals maintained their form and managed to secure the numero uno position in the points table of IPL 2021. Having played a game more, DC secured 12 points against their name in 8 encounters.
As a result, when the fourteenth edition was canceled, Delhi Capitals would have been the least satisfied team. So ahead of the start of IPL 2021 from September 19 in UAE once again, let us look upon where the Ricky Ponting-coached franchise was in the tournament and how can they qualify into the playoffs when the cricketing fiesta returns.
Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings – April 10
The finalists from last year started their campaign against the mighty Chennai Super Kings, who were desperately seeking vengeance after a below-par IPL 2020. In the first clash itself, CSK showcased their intention and scored 188 runs in the quota of 20 overs. In response, veteran Indian southpaw Shikhar Dhawan along with youngster Prithvi Shaw produced one of the best opening partnerships of the tournament and secured Delhi's win by 7 wickets, with 8 ball to spare.
Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – April 15
In the next game, the drawbacks of DC's batting were on display as the team managed to post a below par total of 148 runs. Promising pacer Avesh Khan showed signs of leading Delhi's bowling attack, while the likes of Chris Woakes and Kagiso Rabada also impressed by taking 2 wickets each. But having said, DC lost the game by 3 wickets as David Miller and Chris Morris won the game for Rajasthan.
Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings – April 18
With a new name, the KL Rahul-led Punjab Kings were all set to battle it out against Delhi Capitals, who surely did not want to lose their way early on. With KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal smashing half-centuries, PBKS managed to post a challenging target of 195. On a pitch that seemed unpredictable, many ruled out DC until Dhawan decided to take matters in his own hand.
The swashbuckling opener scored 92 runs from just 49 balls and helped DC register an emphatic victory. Although, it did require a short cameo from Marcus Stoinis at the end to fetch a 6 wicket victory.
Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – April 20
In less than two days time, DC were up against the most dominant team in the history of IPL. Knowing that MI had such a deep batting line-up, DC required something special to restrict the defending champions from scoring a high total. In came the veteran Indian spinner, Amit Mishra who clinched 4 wickets and ensured that Mumbai Indians were bundled out for just 137.
When DC came onto bat, both Steve Smith and Shikhar Dhawan held their nerves and scored 33 and 45 runs respectively to take their side over the finish line.
Delhi capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – April 25
With Prithvi Shaw playing a more controlled knock, his 53 runs ensured that DC finished their first innings on 159. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad were experiencing their worst ever season, yet they still managed to add upon the entertainment and took the game to a super over.
While Axar Patel was given the ball, the all-rounder did an excellent job as he gave away only 6 runs in the final showdown. After which, Rishabh Pant and Dhawan secured Delhi's victory.
Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – April 27
Believe it or not, Virat Kohli-led RCB seemed to have found their void which was missing for years when Glenn Maxwell joined the franchise. DC knew it was always going to be a tough game. So it proved to be, courtesy of AB de Villiers' stunning 75 runs off 42 balls. Having to chase a target of 172, DC took this game until the very last ball.
Captain Pant and Shimron Hetmyer took the game right down the wire with their respective half centuries. With all to play for on the last ball, it was RCB who registered a narrow 1-run victory.
Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders – April 29
The Kolkata Knight Riders have been another flop of the first half of IPL 2021, managing to end the first half of IPL 2021 on seventh position with just 2 wins in 7 games. Justifying the same, their performance was below par in this game as they managed to only pose 154 runs.
Chasing an average score, all DC needed was one big partnership, which came from their openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan once again. Eventually it was the former’s 82 which eased DC to their fifth win of the tournament.
Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings – May 2
One of the most memorable games of IPL 2021, was the second clash between Punjab and Delhi. With Punjab batting first, the limelight was taken by Mayank Agarwal as he smashed 99 runs. When DC came out to bat, Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan were in stupendous form and both helped Delhi to their sixth win before the tournament was suspended.
Delhi Capitals resume their campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 22.