PBKS vs DC Match Preview
PBKS has tended to go for stable batters at the top followed by an aggressive middle and lower order. Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh could end up being the opening duo to start the season and we are not big fans. Dhawan has a history of consistcny and excellent but has basically been out of cricket for previous one year. We also don't rate Prabhsimran Singh very highly.
Instead, players like Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, and Sikandar Raza are a lot more appealing to pick from a Dream11 point of view. The bowling lineup will be spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh. PBKS may pick Nathan Ellis as the second overseas bowler or perhaps go for another overseas batter to add even more power.
DC was terrible with the bat in the previous season and its big overseas signing, Harry Brook, just did not turn up. That means a lot of the work will have to be done by players like Warner, Pant, and Mitch Marsh. Shai Hope could get a run in the middle order or perhaps the young Aussie big-hitter, Jake Frasier McGurk could get a go as well.
DC is a better bowling team than it is a batting team. They have Anrich Nortje, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mukesh Kumar likely to start with Axar Patel as the spin-bowling all-rounder.
Weather Report
There is no threat of rain. The temperatures should range around 25-30 degrees centigrade for the duration of the match. The humidity is not very high in this part of India either.
Pitch Report
Since this is the first IPL match that will be played on this ground, not much is known about how the surface will behave. However, the few domestic fixtures that have been played here have seen an average first-inning score of 170, indicative of a good batting track.
The quicker bowlers will have to work hard to earn their wickets as the surface is likely to be flat with little grass.
Notable stats
Shikhar Dhawan: Old Warhorse
Shikhar Dhawan, who will be leading the Punjab Kings this season, is second on the list of all-time highest run-getters of the IPL. Dhawan has scored 6617 runs in his career at an average of 35.38 and a strike rate of 127.19.
Team News
The Delhi Capitals will be without the services of Harry Brook and Lungi Ngidi. Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included in the squad.
PBKS vs DC Probable 11
PBKS Playing 11
- Shikhar Dhawan (C)
- Prabhsimran Singh
- Jitesh Sharma (Wk)
- Liam Livingstone
- Sikandar Raza
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Harshal Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kagiso Rabada
- Harpreet Brar
- Nathan Ellis
DC Playing 11
- David Warner
- Prithvi Shaw
- Rishabh Pant (C)
- Mitchell Marsh
- Shai Hope
- Axar Patel
- Lalit Yadav
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Ishant Sharma
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Anrich Nortje
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing the Delhi Capitals to win this match. They have a strong batting line-up consisting of experienced players like David Warner, Rishabh Pant, and Mitchell Marsh. The team also has a stronger spin unit compared to the Punjab Kings. The latter lack a strong middle order and if they lose a couple of early wickets, it could trigger a collapse.
Top Picks
Axar Patel: A quality all-rounder, Axar Patel has picked up 10 wickets in his last 10 innings and has also scored 175 runs.
David Warner: One of the most explosive batsmen in the league, Warner has scored 307 runs in his last 10 outings at a strike rate of 146.19.
Jitesh Sharma: One of the cleanest strikers of the ball, his ability hit sixes now comes with international experience as well. We think he could make a big impact in IPL 2024.
PBKS vs DC Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: R Pant, P Singh, S Hope
Batters: S Dhawan, D Warner
All-rounders: M Marsh (C), A Patel (VC), S Raza
Bowlers: K Yadav, A Singh, K Rabada
