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DC won their last league game by 17 runs against PBKS.
Delhi Capitals (DC) have seven wins in 13 league matches and are currently at the fifth position in the IPL 2022 points table. In their last outing, DC secured a victory by 17 runs against Punjab Kings (PBKS). After an average effort from the batters to post 159, the bowlers delivered their best performance to defend the score.
In their next league game, the Capitals will be up against the challenge of Mumbai Indians (MI) at Wankhede Stadium. If they win this fixture, they will bag the fourth spot in the points table and seal the playoffs spot as well. With the confidence-boosting victory in the last game, they are not expected to tinker with the winning combination.
Here’s a look at the Delhi Capitals’ predicted playing XI against MI:
Openers: Sarfaraz Khan and David Warner
In the absence of Prithvi Shaw, the team invited Mandeep Singh and Srikar Bharat to the opening slot. However, both the batters failed to contribute enough to the team. In the last league match, Sarfaraz Khan batted alongside David Warner.
Khan was terrific with his hitting abilities and garnered 32 off 16 balls, with five fours and a single six. His knock helped the team to get a stable start. In this game, he is likely to retain his place and will look to continue the same form.
On the other hand, Warner was holed out on a duck in the last outing and will be critical for the team in this league match. In 11 innings, he has amassed 427 runs at an average of 53.37 and a strike rate of 151.95. With five fifties in the ongoing season, the 35-year-old is the leading run-scorer for the team.
Middle Order: Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Rovman Powell and Mitchell Marsh
The team has a terrific middle-order with the presence of proven T20 performers. But, the captain Rishabh Pant is yet to deliver his best performance in the ongoing season. In the last game, he perished for seven off three balls. In 13 matches, the wicket-keeper has 301 runs at a strike rate of 157.59.
The Caribbean batter Rovman Powell has 207 runs at a strike rate of 155.63 in the tournament and has played a couple of match-winning knocks. Although he had a dull outing with a contribution of only two runs in the last league match, Powell will be confident of his abilities.
The biggest positive for the team in the last leg of the IPL 2022 is the form of Mitchell Marsh. The Aussie all-rounder has contributed in both departments of the game in the last few league matches. In the last fixture, he returned with a knock of 63 off 48 balls, which helped the team to win the match and remain in the hunt for the playoffs.
All-rounders: Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur
Lalit Yadav was brought back into the mix in the last league match, and he contributed 24 off 21 balls and was economical with the ball by giving away only six runs in a single over. In 12 appearances, he has 161 runs and four wickets to his name this season.
The spinner Axar Patel was at his best in the last league match to finish with figures of 2/14 in four overs. With his perfect line lengths, he created pressure on the batters in the middle and played a key role in the team’s victory. Patel contributed 17 to the team’s total as well.
Shardul Thakur was named as the Player of the match for his figures of 4/36 in four overs. He certainly kept his composure during crunch moments and was impressive with his variations. In 13 matches, Thakur has 13 wickets and 116 runs.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed and Anrich Nortje
The bowling department has done well on most occasions for the team this season. The team’s best performer, Kuldeep Yadav has scalped 20 wickets at an economy of 8.45. In the last game, he was impressive with figures of 2/14 in three overs and would look to continue the same form.
The Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje was dropped from the side and had injury concerns as well in the first half of the season. However, he has returned and has done well to put the brakes on the opposition and take wickets as well. In the last game, he gave away 29 runs and took a single wicket.
The left-arm bowler Khaleel Ahmed has been the best pacer for the Capitals this season. In nine appearances, he has scalped a total of 16 wickets at an economy of 8.08 but he went for 43 runs in the last outing and has a scope for improvement.
DC’s Predicted XI for the MI Clash: David Warner, Sarfaraz Khan, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Lalit Yadav, Rovman Powell, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed.
