Delhi Capitals (DC) will take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 13th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Sunday, March 31, at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Led by Rishabh Pant, the Capitals will look to bounce back after losing both their IPL 2024 matches so far. DC started their IPL 2024 campaign with a four-wicket defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS). They later lost to Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 12 runs in their previous match.
As they are yet to open their accounts, the Capitals are ranked eighth in the IPL 2024 standings.
On the other hand, reigning champions CSK have made an impressive start to the new season after winning both their matches under new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The Super Kings defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six wickets and followed this up by securing a comprehensive 63-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in their last match.
Ahead of another enthralling IPL 2024 clash, we take a look at the predicted XIs of both sides.
DC predicted XI
David Warner
Australian David Warner was the standout batsman for DC in the first two games. The swashbuckling southpaw has scored 78 runs in two matches at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 141.81. He will look to convert his starts into a big score against CSK.
Mitchell Marsh
Like Warner, his opening partner Mitchell Marsh has had a decent start but failed to capitalize in the opening two games. The right-handed batsman has scored 43 runs at an impressive strike rate of 179.16. He will try to provide a new blitzkrieg start in Visakhapatnam.
Ricky Bhui
Top Indian batsman Ricky Bhui could get another chance despite failing to impress so far in IPL 2024. Bhui recorded disappointing scores of 3 and 0 in the first two matches of this season. He will have to seize his opportunity if he wants to cement his place in DC’s playing XI.
Rishabh Pant (captain/wicketkeeper)
Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has also failed to convert his good starts in the first two matches. Pant has amassed 43 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 117.94. DC will be hoping that Pant can return to his best against CSK on Sunday.
Tristan Stubbs
South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs played an impressive defeat to Rajasthan Royals despite their defeat in the previous match. Chasing 186, Stubbs hit an unbeaten 44 off 23 balls and almost completed an incredible win for the Capitals. He will look to continue his good form in Vizag.
Axar Patel
Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has contributed with both bat and ball for DC in the first two matches. Axar was economical with his left-arm spin, while also contributing some valuable runs lower down the order. He will play a key role if DC is to register a win over CSK.
Sumit Kumar
Bowling all-rounder Sumit Kumar has had few mediocre performances for the Capitals so far. The Gurgaon-born cricketer will have to bring his A-game against the defending champions.
Kuldeep Yadav
India’s star spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the standout bowler for DC in their first two matches. The left-arm wrist spinner has scalped three wickets in two matches at an average of 20.33 and an economy of 7.62. He could be the Capitals’ main wrecker in Vizag.
Anrich Nortje
DC fast bowler Anrich Nortje was expensive against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. Despite picking up the wicket of Dhruv Jurel, Nortje conceded 48 runs in his quota of four overs. The Proteas pacer will look to bounce back against CSK on Sunday.
Khaleel Ahmed
Khaleel Ahmed has provided some crucial breakthroughs for the Capitals in the first two games. The left-arm pacer has claimed three wickets in two matches at an economy of 8.37. He will look to pick up some early wickets to put pressure on the CSK batting line-up.
Mukesh Kumar
India international Mukesh Kumar replaced the injured Ishant Sharma in DC’s playing XI. The right-arm fast bowler gave away 49 runs against RR in his four overs. Earlier, he scalped the huge wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Mukesh will have to be tighter against CSK.
Impact sub
Abishek Porel
CSK predicted XI
Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain)
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has started the new IPL season well. The stylish right-handed batsman scored 61 runs in two matches at an average of 30.50 and a strike rate of 119.60. He will look to score big against the struggling DC team.
Rachin Ravindra
New Zealand star player Rachin Ravindra has been exceptional for CSK at the top of the table so far. The left-hander has already amassed 83 runs in two matches at an average of 41.50 and a strike rate of 237.14. He will look to continue his sparkling form on Sunday.
Ajinkya Rahane
Experienced Ajinkya Rahane is expected to retain his place in CSK’s starting XI. Rahane has failed to convert his starts into big scores in the first two games. Rahane is at number three and scored 39 runs at a strike rate of 125.80. He will be happy to contribute against DC.
Shivam Dube
Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube continued to impress for CSK in IPL 2024. The flamboyant left-hander scored 85 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 166.66 while being dismissed once. He will look to continue his wonderful form in Vizag.
Daryl Mitchell
New Zealand cricketer Daryl Mitchell has been a quality part of CSK’s squad this season. Mitchell has scored 46 runs so far and also picked up one wicket in two matches. He could play a key role for CSK on Sunday.
Sameer Rizvi
CSK’s new recruit Sameer Rizvi has shown glimpses of what he is capable of against Gujarat Titans in their last match. Batting at number six, Rizvi hit two sixes to take CSK to over 200 at Chepauk. He will try to impress against the Capitals.
Ravindra Jadeja
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been a match winner for CSK since 2012. Jadeja has scalped 152 wickets and amassed 2,724 runs in 228 IPL matches so far. While Jadeja is yet to take a wicket in IPL 2024, he has scored 32 runs down the order. He will once again hold the key with his all-round capabilities against DC.
MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper)
Such is the dominance of CSK that MS Dhoni is yet to bat in the IPL 2024. The former India captain has staggering numbers, with over 5,000 runs in 252 IPL matches. Dhoni will be hoping that the CSK top order continues to shine against the Capitals.
Deepak Chahar
Deepak Chahar has been an integral member of CSK’s line-up since his IPL debut in 2018. Chahar has already made a good start to the season, having scalped three wickets in two matches at an average of 21.66 and an economy of 8.12. He will look to provide early breakthroughs against a star-studded DC batting line-up.
Tushar Deshpande
Tushar Deshpande produced a brilliant spell against Gujarat Titans in their last match. The right-arm pacer dismissed David Miller and Azmatullah Omarzai to finish with figures of 4-0-21-2. He will look to continue his good form in Visakhapatnam.
Mustafizur Rahman
Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been the leading wicket-taker so far in IPL 2024. The 28-year-old left-arm pacer has taken six wickets in two matches at an average of 9.83 and an economy of 7.37. He could cause problems for DC’s batting line-up on Sunday.
Impact sub
Matheesha Pathirana
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