Picture Credit: IPL/BCCI
The first double-header of the UAE-leg of IPL 2021 is here. While fans wait for their daily dose of cricket while the IPL is on, during the double-header days, the excitement, enjoyment and cricket everything gets doubled. In the first of the two matches on Saturday, Delhi Capitals are taking on Rajasthan Royals at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. While RR captain Sanju Samson won the toss and opted to chase, in a big update he revealed that the team will be without the services of Evin Lewis and Chris Morris as they were not available for selection.
While many would have picked both of them as automated selections in the XI, Samson's statement did not give much clarity on why they failed to make it to the XI. However, during the course of the Delhi innings, Rajasthan coach Kumar Sangakkara gave concrete information as to why their two overseas stars were not playing. The former Sri Lanka captain said, "Evin Lewis and Chris Morris had some niggle so resting them in this match."
Lalit Yadav replaces Marcus Stoinis in Delhi Capitals
In their absence, it is David Miller and Tabraiz Shamsi who are playing the ongoing match against the Delhi Capitals. While Lewis had been in great form in the Caribbean Premier League and showed glimpses of that in the match against Punjab, Morris did not have the best of outings and went for almost 12 an over in his quota of 4 overs. Without Morris, their bowling did seem to fare well in the first half of the innings and it remains to be seen how they conclude the innings.
If Rajasthan manage to beat Delhi, who have been a force to reckon with in this tournament so far, they will suddenly reach third place in the points table. They would definitely believe that they can win from any situation especially after a last-ball win over Punjab where they were dead and buried with two overs remaining and Punjab needing eight runs to win from 12 balls.
Meanwhile, Delhi are also without Marcus Stonis, who had sustained an injury in the previous match and he has been replaced by Lalit Yadav.