Delhi Capitals might view the eight-day suspension of the IPL as a result of cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan as a little bit of a double-edged sword. While a while away from the hustle and bustle might have helped Axar Patel’s males introspect on the latest run of poor outcomes and recharge their batteries, the disturbance in the schedule has disadvantaged their bowling assault of tempo spearhead Mitchell Starc for the house stretch of the 18th version.
Even although DC, which faces Gujarat Titans in a must-win clash on the Arun Jaitley Stadium amid the specter of rain on Sunday, was prescient sufficient to rope in Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman as a substitute for Jake Fraser-McGurk even earlier than Starc’s absence turned official, the void left by the Aussie linchpin might be exhausting to plug. Much to the workforce’s reduction, the return of Tristan Stubbs and Faf du Plessis no less than ensures that its batting assets aren’t compromised.
For being in a place the place a single misstep may now engender calamitous penalties in its bid to stake a playoff berth, DC — fifth in the desk with three league matches left — should take a stern look in the mirror. It has frittered away a splendid begin, profitable simply two of its final seven matches.
Shubman Gill’s Titans, alternatively, are sitting fairly with eight wins in 11 matches. If the visiting facet can add to its tally of wins on Sunday, it should inch nearer to sealing a top-two spot. That Jos Buttler received’t be obtainable for the playoffs isn’t perfect, however it’s a concern for a later date.
Published – May 17, 2025 07:23 pm IST
