PBKS vs DC Match Preview
The Delhi Capitals team ran into trouble right from the word go. Although they did show signs of coming into their own in the upcoming matches with a small run of victories, it did not last very long. Delhi Capitals have already been knocked out of the next stage of the competition. From the 12 matches they have played so far, they have 4 wins and 8 losses to their credit. They are positioned right at the bottom of the pool. They have lost their last couple of games thereby indicating poor form. One of the games they lost was against this side.
In the earlier game against Punjab, the Delhi Capitals team failed to chase a target of 167 runs set by Punjab. They were bundled out for a score of 136 runs and lost the game by a margin of 31 runs. However, if you look at the recent head-to-head between the two teams, Delhi leads it 4-1. Things are not working in their favor in this season though as they are being forced to take defeats time and again. One of the bowlers that is doing a fine job for Delhi Capitals is Mitchell Marsh who is bowling with a strike rate of 9.27 in his last 7 games.
Punjab on the other hand, is still in contention for a place in the top four of the competition.
The last meeting between the two teams went in favor of Punjab. they succeeded in outplaying the Delhi batters and bowlers. In the 12 games they have played in the competition, Punjab has registered 6 wins and as many losses. They are currently lying in 8th position in the points tally. The competition has been intense this year and it is quite likely that the ranking will boil down to a difference in net run rate.
Punjab at the moment have to win their match and hope that some of the other games go in their favor to qualify for the next stage. Harpreet Brar is one of the top bowlers for Punjab having picked up 9 wickets from 9 games with a strike rate of 14.11. The Punjab skipper Shikhar Dhawan has scored 230 runs from his last 7 matches with an average of 38.33 and with a healthy strike rate of 141.10. There are several bowling alternatives available for Punjab in the form of Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar, Baltej Singh, Harpreet Brar, Nathan Elis, and Kagiso Rabada.
Weather Report
We are expecting clear skies during the game in Dharamshala.
Pitch Report
This pitch on offer at the HPCA stadium in Dharamshala is one of the more fast-bowler-friendly surfaces in India. There is some movement for the bowlers observed on the track. This leads to doubts in the minds of the batters. All spinners playing in this game will need to bowl a tight line because the ball will not turn as much here as on the other tracks in the country. This ground also has small boundaries which means the batters will fancy their chances of scoring runs on the track.
It is also likely to be a good batting surface. But there will be some help for the quicker bowlers from the track. Only the batsmen that have got their eyes in can expect to do well on this wicket. It is likely to be a game where an average number of runs are scored. Any team batting first will look to score around 175 runs on the track to feel safe.
Notable stats
The recent head-to-head from the last 5 encounters is in favor of Delhi Capitals.
Although everybody is labeling Punjab to be the favorites for this game, they have lost 4 out of their last 5 games against Delhi. Delhi leads the head-to-head in the last 5 games 4-1. But the most recent game played earlier in the competition was won by Punjab.
Axar Patel has a good record with both bat and ball.
Axar Patel has scored 216 runs from his last 10 games with an average of 30.85 and a strike rate of 133.33. He has also picked up 9 wickets in the same period.
Team News
It appears as if all the players from both teams will be available for this game. They might make a few changes to the playing eleven though.
PBKS vs DC Probable 11
PBKS Playing 11
- Shikhar Dhawan (C)
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (Wk)
- Sam Curran
- Sikandar Raza
- Shahrukh Khan
- Harpreet Brar
- Rishi Dhawan
- Rahul Chahar
- Arshdeep Singh
DC Playing 11
- David Warner (C)
- Philip Salt (Wk)
- Mitchell Marsh
- Rilee Rossouw
- Aman Hakim Khan
- Axar Patel
- Praveen Dubey
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Ishant Sharma
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Manish Pandey
Dream11 Prediction
Despite their dismal showing in the IPL 2023 season the Delhi Capitals will have to play freely in this game. They are out of contention for the playoffs though. Lack of form in the case of several batters and bad execution of bowling plans have been their problem during the season. As they will be playing for pride, Delhi Capitals players will give it everything they have got. The Punjab openers on the other hand are in good form and they have depth in their bowling unit. Although it might turn out to be a closely fought affair, we expect Punjab Kings to win it.
Top Picks
Axar Patel: Axar Patel is one of the players that has stood well for Delhi among the ruins. He has done well for them with both bat and ball. You can expect him to continue the good work.
Arshdeep Singh: Arshdeep Singh is a top bowler for Punjab who has picked up 11 wickets in the competition so far from 10 matches with a strike rate of 20.63.
Shikhar Dhawan: Shikhar Dhawan is doing a good job for Punjab with the bat having scored 230 runs from his last 7 innings.
David Warner: The Delhi captain has scored 291 runs from 10 games for Delhi with an average of 29.10.
PBKS vs DC Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: P Salt
Batters: D Warner, S Dhawan (VC), R Rossouw
All-rounders: M Marsh (C), A Patel, L Livingstone, S Curran
Bowlers: K Yadav, R Chahar, A Singh
