NEW DELHI: It’s that time of the IPL when every game becomes crucial in terms of race to the Playoffs. Each point matters, especially for those mid-table teams that are in a mad scramble.
Tuesday’s IPL clash between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is one such game. One team (Rajasthan Royals) is looking to seal their spot in the Playoffs and the other (Delhi Capitals) will aim to keep their campaign alive.
Besides the clash between the two teams, there is a subplot that fans will keep a keen eye on.The battle between the two captains, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. Both have been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in America and the Caribbean and each would look to outdo the other in order to get into the playing XI as the team’s No. 1 wicketkeeper-batsman.
The test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium will involve all parameters – wicketkeeping, batting and also leadership skills.
So far both have led with aplomb. Sanju’s RR has minimal weaknesses and combined with his astute captaincy, the team is deservedly placed second in the points table with four games (including Tuesday’s match) in hand.
Pant, on the other hand, doesn’t have a well-oiled team like Rajasthan at his disposal. Still, he has got the best out of his players, considering the number of injury-related issues the franchise has faced. Harry Brook, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Marsh – all first XI players – were lost at different stages of the tournament. Pant, on his part, has put up a brave face and not let his performance go down.
The left-hander has batted in a lionhearted manner and scored 398 runs at an average of 44.22 and a phenomenal strike-rate of 158.56 in the tournament so far.
There is little to choose between the two in terms of numbers, as Sanju has scored 385 runs at an average of 64.16 and a strike-rate of 159.09 till now. With the World Cup approaching, this game will give a glimpse to who among the two will have an upper hand going into the marquee tournament.
As far as team news goes, DC will get back the services of Ishant Sharma, who has been declared fit. But, his teammate David Warner is “yet to be passed fit”. Head coach Ricky Ponting gave the information in the pre-match press conference.
“They both trained yesterday (Sunday). In fact, Ishant trained three of the last five days. We’re happy with what we’ve seen from him. As of now, he’s fit for selection,” Ponting said. “Warner had a few days off. He also did some batting in the nets for about 20 minutes. He will go through his final paces, but he is still to be passed fit. But from what I’ve seen, he’s a whole lot better.”
