Indian Premier League 2019 Match 37, Delhi Capitals vs Kings XI Punjab: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Has the change in name worked for Delhi Capitals? They might have been thoroughly outplayed by Mumbai Indians in their last match – that too at home – but they have been done enough this season to shrug off their ill-reputation as a wooden spoon contender.

Delhi will now host Kings XI Punjab for Match 37 of IPL 2019, at Feroz Shah Kotla. Punjab, another perennial bottom-four team, have also done reasonably well. At this stage one, if not both, teams seem likely to go through.

It is difficult to tell which of the two sides boast of a more explosive batting order. As for bowling, while Kagiso Rabada holds the Purple Cap, R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami have found their mojo in this format. Both sides also boast of some excellent all-rounders. This contest should be a treat to watch.

Head to head

Punjab hold a 14-9 lead here after winning twice in 2018. Delhi – then Daredevils – put up 166/8 at Mohali thanks to Gautam Gambhir’s 42-ball 55. Mujeeb Ur Rahman had 4-0-28-2 and R Ashwin 4-0-23-1.

Then KL Rahul smashed the fastest fifty, in 14 balls. His 16-ball 51, followed by David Miller’s 33-ball 50, helped Punjab reach home with 7 balls to spare despite Rahul Tewatia’s 4-0-24-1.

At Kotla, Liam Plunkett (4-0-17-3), Dan Christian (3-0-17-1), and Trent Boult (3-0-21-2) restricted Punjab to 143/8. But Punjab still managed to win by 4 runs, thanks to Ashwin (4-0-19-0), Ankit Rajpoot (4-0-23-2), Andrew Tye (4-0-25-2), and Mujeeb (4-0-25-2). Shreyas Iyer’s 45-ball 57 went in vain.

Key players

Axar Patel (Delhi Capitals): You cannot improve much on a strike rate of 136 and an economy of 6.72. Overshadowed by a strong batting line-up and excellent fast bowlers, Axar kept finding boundaries and bowling 3-minute overs virtually unnoticed throughout the tournament.

Murugan Ashwin (Kings XI Punjab): Murugan Ashwin has gone for a mere 6.38 this season, the best among all uncapped cricketers with a 5-over cut-off. To provide perspective, R Ashwin, his captain and more illustrious namesake, is has been second-best for Punjab, with 7.44.

Likely XIs

Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Chris Morris, Axar Patel, Keemo Paul, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma.

Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul (wk), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, David Miller, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, R Ashwin (c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammed Shami, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh.

Prediction

A tough call between two evenly matched sides, but Delhi hold home advantage.