IPL 2020, Qualifier 2: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad - DC Predicted XI

The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will meet Delhi Capitals (DC) in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2020 on Sunday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Sunrisers had the upper hand in both the league stage matches over the Capitals.

Delhi was humiliated by Mumbai in qualifier 1 as they slumped to a 57 run-defeat. The Capitals have lost 5 out of their 6 last matches. Along with their disorganized batting, their bowling also looked timid against Mumbai. Changes can be expected in the Shreyas Iyer-led team.

IPL 2020, Qualifier 2: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – DC Predicted XI

Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw, who got a couple of half-centuries earlier in the tournament, has been a walking wicket since. Shaw is in a horrible rut of form. He has 6 single-digit scores in his last seven innings. That he is going to take this form to Australia is highly concerning. However, Delhi Capitals are likely to stick with the youngster for another game this season – what might just be their last.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is Delhi’s leading run-scorer this season. The southpaw has amassed 525 runs at an average of 43 and a strike rate of 144. However, after achieving the record of scoring back-to-back hundreds, and managing to find a place in India’s T20 squad, his form has slumped too. The left-hander has three ducks in his last four innings.

Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane will be a crucial player for Delhi against Hyderabad as the pitch is slowed down during the Eliminator. Rahane made a match-winning half-century against RCB in DC’s last league match at the same venue. The right-hander, like his teammates, has been inconsistent – he has 4 single-digit scores in the last 6 innings.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer started off with three boundaries against Mumbai before he perished to Jasprit Bumrah. Similar to the form of his team, Iyer had a good start to the season and then tapered off in the second half. His last half-century score came 7 innings ago. The right-hander has got starts but couldn’t capitalize on it.

Rishabh Pant

Delhi’s major concern is the form of Rishabh Pant this season. Their superstar wicketkeeper-batsman has had mediocre returns. His strike rate of 112 is concerning, and it has been disheartening to watch Pant struggle for timing. For Delhi to make it to the final, the 23-year-old has to be given the freedom to play his shots and be his audacious self.

Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis has played all 15 games for Delhi and has been their most consistent performer. He has won matches for Delhi Capitals with his late finishing and has provided vital contributions with the ball as well. He and Axar Patel gave Delhi some positives against Mumbai. The right-hander has scored 314 runs at a strike rate of 150 in addition to his 9 wickets.

Axar Patel

Axar has shown excellent control with the ball as he has been Delhi’s strength while bowling in the middle-overs. The southpaw has an economy of 6.46 this season and has provided balance to the side with his late-order batting. Against Mumbai in Qualifier, it was because of the partnership between Patel and Stoinis that DC manage to play the 20 overs. The pitch and the dimension in Abu Dhabi will suit Axar’s bowling.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin is Delhi’s seniormost player in the absence of Amit Mishra. The off-spinner has been instrumental with the ball, in different phases of the innings. Ashwin has 13 wickets at an economy of 7.50.

Against Mumbai, Ashwin took Rohit’s wicket in the powerplay and dented MI batting with two more wickets in the middle-overs. The 34-year-old will have lots of responsibility in a big game against SRH.

Kagiso Rabada

Delhi has their pacers  – Kagiso Rabada and Arich Nortje – to thank for finishing at the second position and now having another chance to enter the final. Rabada lost the purple cap to Jasprit Bumrah, but the South-African couldn’t care less as their entire season on the line against SRH.

The right-arm pacer has picked 25 wickets at an economy of 8.3. Not only he went wicketless against Mumbai, but he was also smashed for 42 runs, mostly by Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya in the death overs. The 25-year-old is expected to bounce back better.

Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje has been a sensation for DC in the bowling department. He has picked 20 wickets at an economy of 8.30. The South-African was expensive in the death against MI and finished with the figures of 1/50. He delivered a match-winning performance against RCB to propel DC into Qualifier 1 – he would be expected to do the same versus RCB.

Sandeep Lamichhane

Delhi Capitals could make a change in their bowling department. Daniel Sams has been wicketless in the three matches he has played and leaked runs at an economy of 9.5. As Adam Zampa and Yuzvendra Chahal troubled SRH batters in the Eliminator,  the pitch in Abu Dhabi is assisting slower bowlers. Hence Delhi could be tempted to bring in Sandeep Lamichhane.

The leg-spinner was brilliant in the CPL 2020, picking wickets in almost every game. Other Indian options for DC are Praveen Dubey and Harshal Patel.

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