A lot is at stake in the tournament context when the Delhi Capitals takes on Rajasthan Royals in Dubai. These two sides met no so long ago in the first leg, with DC edging past RR by 46 runs. Steve Smith has 4 single-digit scores in his last 5 outings and looks out of format at the moment. Iyer has been in good touch with the bat but has gone past 50 only once this IPL but has scored 245 runs.
DC lost their match of this IPL against the table-toppers MI last game and will look to bounce back with a win. Though Dhawan scored 69 and carried on unbeaten from 52 balls, his slow progress in the middle might have cost the team a few runs. They will rue that 2 of their attacking middle-order batsman Pant & Hetmeyer, had to miss out due to formers injury. Their bowling did their best to restrict a below-par 162, but DC’s fielding lapses didn’t help them either. DC will hope this is a one-off and can come back to winning ways as they have been dominant thus far.
RR, for a change, is on the right side of the results after posting a stunning coming off from a back win against SRH. The RR’s bowlers did a commendable job by restricting a dangerous SRH top order to 158 with Jofra Archer again being the pick of the bowlers. Chasing a mediocre score, RR lost their 3 experienced overseas batsman within the powerplay and were struggling at 78/5 in 12 overs. The inexperienced duo of Tewatia(45) & Riyan Parag(42) pulled off a heist with 54 required off the final 4 overs and took the team over the line with a ball to spare. This was Tewatia’s 2nd such match-winning performance in this IPL, and RR will be mighty pleased with his progress.
Key players from both sides
Batsman – Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Jos Buttler, and Steve Smith.
Ajinkya Rahane played his first game of this IPL courtesy of an injury to Rishabh Pant, and with the latter is not yet fit, Rahane night gets another chance. A good performance from Rahane can put much pressure on Dhawan, who has been slow thus far. Prithvi Shaw was out of sorts both with the bat and in the field, so a good knock from the youngster will boost his chances. Jos Buttler and Steve Smith have the responsibility to score at the top of the order to ease off the middle-order pressure with Ben Stokes surprisingly opening the batting. The duo hasn’t fired so far as we know them, and this could be the game where they will come good.
All Rounder- Ben Stokes, Rahul Tewatia, Axar Patel, and Marcus Stoinis.
Ben Stokes bowled just one over but to the surprise of many; he opened the innings along with Jos Buttler. If he does it again, he is expected to fire this time and bowl his full quota of overs. Rahul Tewatia has been performing like a dream for the Royals and has been the biggest match-winner for them so far. Axar Patel is bowling at a great rhythm this IPL, and the Capitals will want him to continue his good work to go his potential with the bat if needed. Stoinis was looking dangerous till his untimely run-out while also chipped in with few good overs. This good returns from the all-rounder make him an excellent asset for the Delhi team in the games to come.
Bowlers – Kagiso Rabada, R Ashwin, Jofra Archer, and Kartik Tyagi.
The 2 of the best pacers in this IPL and the world will be in action this game. While Rabada is the highest wicket-taker so far this IPL, Archer has been the standout in ER and a lone warrior in the bowling department for the Royals. The talented Tyagi has looked impressive every time he has come on to bowl but will want that to reflect on his wicket column. Ashwin was off-color last game; mostly, De Kock was particularly severe on the ace spinner. But one can’t write off Ashwin, and he will want to come back more vital with this game.
Battles to look forward
- R Ashwin vs Jos Buttler
- Kagiso Rabada vs Ben Stokes
- Jofra Archer vs Prithvi Shaw
Ashwin picked the wicket of the RR’s wicket-keeper batsman, Buttler, in the last game these both sides met, and with the history between the duo, this contest is a much anticipated one. Stokes has just returned to playing XI, still may not back to his best, and with him opening the batting, Rabada’s bowling may be too hot to handle for him. Prithvi Shaw has looked in a bit of trouble with short balls, and with an exponent of such delivery in the opposition in the form of Jofra Archer, there could be something here.
Head to Head between RR and DC.
- Matches Played: 21
- RR Won: 11
- DC won: 10
Significant Approaching Milestones.
74- Shreyas Iyer needs another 74 runs to complete 2000 runs in IPL
2- Kagiso Rabada needs 2 more wickets to capture 50 IPL scalps.
Match conditions
Venue: Dubai international cricket stadium, Dubai.
Date & Timings: October 14, 2020, at 7.30 PM IST.
Weather: Clear with the temperature around 33 C.
Pitch: Likely to be slow batting surface with possible due later on.
