After playing a high-scoring thriller, injury-hit Rajasthan will play in-form Delhi in Indian T20 League 2021 tonight. Delhi thrashed Chennai by 7 wickets, while Rajasthan fell short of just 4 runs in a big chase.
Match Timings: April 15, 7:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Rajasthan and Delhi will lock horns in Indian T20 League tonight after high-scoring opening games in Mumbai. Delhi’s start was impressive and they made good use of the pitch after winning the toss. Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan both took the game away from Chennai and Delhi chased down 189 with 8 balls spare. Bowling was a big concern for Delhi but they would be happy after the inclusion of Rabada who has completed the quarantine. Nortje tested positive for COVID-19 and he will miss out few more matches. It means, Chris Woakes will find his spot in playing XI and Tom Curran will be replaced by Rabada.
Ishant Sharma is still unfit and Avesh Khan will continue as the only Indian pacer. Avesh Khan bowled very well in the season-opener with conceding just 23 and picked two wickets. Pant made a big statement in his captaincy debut and won the match with ease. Delhi has a strong batting combination and their bowling unit will be more dangerous after the comeback of Rabada. Ponting will pick both spinners Ashwin and Mishra who can control the runs despite the dew factor in night matches. Delhi are strong favourites but they have to aware of the scar from the young Rajasthan squad.
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson’s troops won the hearts in the last game and fell short of just 4 runs in a chase of 222. Sanju Samson made his captaincy debut with 63-ball 119 but the failure of the batting unit is a big concern. Rajasthan cannot afford such defeats but they have to accept the fact that they were in the race because their skipper was fighting alone. Rajasthan also suffered another big blow as their star all-rounder Ben Stokes ruled out of the season and they have find his replacement.
Liam Livingstone will make his debut in Indian T20 League. The English player was in top form in Australia T20 League and opened for his side. Rajasthan can also look for David Miller to send Buttler at the top. Bowling remains the big concern for Rajasthan in the absense of Jofra Archer. Wankhede’s track requires more depth in bowling. Morris and Mustafizur need to follow their basics. Chetan Sakariya had a great debut with a 3-wicket haul. Rajasthan are the dark horses and they can defeat any side on their day.
Pitch Report
Wankhede’s track is a batting paradise and even 200 is not safe on this track. In the last two games, chasing sides averaged 200. Pacers might take help with the new ball.
Possible XI
Rajasthan
Manan Vohra, Liam Livingstone, Sanju Samson (c & wk), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Shreyas Gopal, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman
Delhi
Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Woakes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan
Key Players
Rajasthan
Sanju Samson
Good average and a better strike rate on flat-tracks
Jos Buttler
A hard-hitter against the pace, good average in Wankhede
Delhi
Shikhar Dhawan
The impressive average for Delhi as an opener
Prithvi Shaw
Coming off a great number at domestic level and high average in Mumbai
