(Cricket news) The team that was the first to be eliminated from the playoff race but cannot be taken for granted will compete against the team that is actively pursuing a top-two finish but is not yet assured a postseason position. For CSK, the solution is straightforward: defeat DC in their final group match to guarantee their playoff berth.
Although they were in a good position, CSK’s chances of qualifying for the tournament were somewhat hurt by a six-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders at home. They presently hold a tie for second position with Lucknow Super Giants on points (15 from 13 games), but Lucknow Super Giants have a better net run rate. Now, if DC wins at home on Saturday, one of Royal Challengers Bangalore or Mumbai Indians must lose their final matches for CSK to win. MS Dhoni’s team would play Qualifier 1 in Chennai if CSK won this game and LSG lost to KKR in the second game of the day.
The competition’s two most cost-effective spin attacks will square off in Saturday’s game. While CSK’s spinners have taken 35 wickets at a 7.55 economy rate, Capitals’ spinners have taken 24 at 7.09. The top five spinners this season with the best economy rates (minimum 100 balls bowled) include Axar Patel of the Capitals, Kuldeep Yadav of the CSK, Ravindra Jadeja, and Moeen Ali of the CSK. Axar topped the list with an economy rate of 6.95.
Whereas DC stumbled, CSK did not. They have scored a lot of runs thanks to their openers, Devon Conway (498 in 12 innings) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (425 in 12), while Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane have made significant contributions thanks to role clarity, with Dhoni usually providing late fireworks. Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande, two quick bowlers, have taken 32 wickets between them, with Pathirana standing out as one of the competition’s top death bowlers this year.
The fact that DC have struggled at home in the IPL, winning just two of their six games, is good news for CSK. Even more so for a team that has only won five games all season, the Capitals’ recent performance—three victories in their previous five games—is significantly better.
Squad updates
In the last game for DC, Anrich Nortje took the place of Mitchell Marsh, who was injured. Dube, who plays only as a hitter for CSK, is likely to be substituted in or out for the third straight game if he still has a finger ache.
Important statistics
- For a record-setting 12th time in the IPL, if CSK defeats Capitals, they will advance to the playoffs. Mumbai Indians, who are ranked second with nine, have advanced through the group stage less frequently than any other team.
- This season, CSK has consistently enjoyed quick starts to powerplays. As the second-highest scoring side in the IPL, they average 9.3 runs per over during that phase.
- Despite facing a strong strike rate of 136.58 against the spinner, Warner was removed three times in six innings by Maheesh Theekshana.
- Shaw has been dismissed six times by Deepak Chahar in the nine T20 matches they have faced off in, allowing the batter to score at a strike rate of 125.00.
Form guide
Delhi Capitals W L L W W
Chennai Super Kings L W W NR L
Impact Player tactics
When the Capitals bowled, seamer Mukesh Kumar replaced Prithvi Shaw, who had returned to the team against Punjab Kings and had made a fifty. Phil Salt gave up his starting spot to Shaw, and the home team will probably follow the same strategy on Saturday.
CSK has largely kept the same starting XII throughout the second part of the competition. In the event that Ambati Rayudu or Dube bowl, the pitcher Pathirana will replace them.
Predicted Playing Xll
DC : 1 David Warner (capt), 2 Prithvi Shaw, 3 Rilee Rossouw, 4 Phil Salt (wk), 5 Axar Patel, 6 Aman Khan, 7 Yash Dhull, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Anrich Nortje, 10 Mukesh Kumar, 11 Ishant Sharma, 12 Khaleel Ahmed
CSK : 1 Devon Conway, 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3 Ajinkya Rahane, 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Matheesha Pathirana, 12 Tushar Deshpande
Also read: Desperate Mumbai Indians eye big win over lowly Sunrisers Hyderabad to bolster playoffs chances
