Delhi Capitals started well but are now under pressure in the playoff race. Their loss to Kolkata Knight Riders summed up the problems: from 74/2 they finished on 142/8, once again undone by spin and a shaky powerplay. They have lost early wickets repeatedly, notably collapsing to 13/6 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier in the season.
Delhi have been better chasing than setting targets, usually going at 8.5 to 9 an over with Sameer Rizvi and Tristan Stubbs in control in the middle overs. They recovered from 7/2 to beat Mumbai Indians by chasing 163 in 18.1 overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have controlled the middle overs with the ball, though the death bowling has been costly on flat pitches.
Rajasthan Royals began strongly but have lost five of their last seven, including a heavy defeat to Gujarat Titans. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi supply flying starts, such as 84/1 in the powerplay of a 223 chase against Punjab Kings and 97 in six overs against RCB. Dhruv Jurel and Donovan Ferreira finish well, and Jofra Archer is among the top powerplay wicket-takers, but RR conceded 72 in the last five overs against Punjab and Archer gave 46 in three overs against Gujarat. In a game likely to be high scoring, we lean to Delhi.
