Indian Premier League 2019 Match 53, Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

With 16 points from 13 matches, Delhi Capitals are one of three teams – Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are the other ones – eyeing a spot in Qualifier 1. Rajasthan Royals, on the other hand, are hanging on by the thinnest of threads they had to split points with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Anything short of a massive win will bring their run to an end.

With 16 points from 13 matches, Delhi are one of three teams – Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are the other ones – eyeing a spot in Qualifier 1. Rajasthan, on the other hand, are hanging on by the thinnest of threads they had to split points with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Anything short of a massive win will bring their run to an end.

To make things worse, Rajasthan will be without captain Steven Smith, who had replaced Ajinkya Rahane at the helm mid-season. Rahane is set to lead the Royals again – though there is a case for Jaydev Unadkat following his outstanding show as captain of Saurashtra last winter.

Delhi, on the other hand, are likely to be without Kagiso Rabada, who had missed the Chennai match with a bad back. The Delhi attack had looked thin without their spearhead: despite an impressive first spell, Trent Boult could not fill those massive boots. Delhi had lost the match by a humongous 80 runs; they will try to put that behind them when they take field.

Head to head

History backs Rajasthan, who have won 11 and lost 8 against Delhi. Rahane had scored a 63-ball 105 not out when the sides had met at Jaipur earlier this year and Smith 50 in 32, taking Rajasthan to 191/6 (Ishant Sharma 3-0-29-1).

Prithvi Shaw (42 in 39 balls) and Shikhar Dhawan (54 in 27) then provided the initial tempo before Rishabh Pant (78* in 36) sealed the fate of the match. Delhi won by 6 wickets with 4 balls to spare.

Key players

Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Capitals): Iyer provides solidity to a batting line-up of hitter, but stood firm even in crisis in the Chennai match. He strikes at 122 for his 427 runs, but his real prowess lies in expert handling of his troops. Delhi will need his tactical acumen going forward.

Stuart Binny (Rajasthan Royals): Binny has been curiously effective since his delayed entry to the tournament. Despite never quite making it big, he has the best strike rate (179 but off 39 balls) and economy rate (6.33 but off 6 overs) in his team. What next?

Likely XIs

Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Colin Ingram, Axar Patel, Sherfane Rutherford, Chris Morris, Jagadeesha Suchith, Amit Mishra, Trent Boult.

Rajasthan Royals: Liam Livingstone, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ashton Turner, Riyan Parag, Stuart Binny, Mahipal Lomror, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat, Varun Aaron, Oshane Thomas.

Prediction

Delhi to win and try to seal a Qualifier 1 spot.