1. Background:
The last time these two teams met it was an one sided affair and a complete mismatch. Gujarat were blown away for a meagre 89 which was chased in quick time by Delhi. In many ways that win also brought back Delhi in the middle of the table and still relevant for this year. Gujarat have issues with batting and most of their batting line up bar Shubman and Tewatia have not shown up this year. Saha, Shankar, Sai Sudharsan and Miller are all woefully out of form and that compounds the issues for the team. Gujarat should change their combination and opt for Matthew Wade up the order instead of picking Omarzai. Gujarat isn’t gaining much from his batting and neither he is contributing too much with bowl. They might even think of getting Williamson instead of Miller but with the game being played in Delhi they might still give Miller a chance.
Delhi were blown away in the previous game by SRH. They conceded too many and then did not have enough contribution from Pant or Stubbs to challenge the total. Delhi is running hot and cold and Ricky Ponting will want their batsmen to stand up tall. The bowling has started to look ok with good contributions from Kuldeep, Axar, Khaleel and Mukesh Yadav. What they would dearly want is their foreign buy in form of Nortje turns up for the game.
2. Ground & Pitch:
If the previous match is any guidance expect a belter in Delhi. 266 runs were amassed by SRH and could have been even more if not for an inspired late order bowling by DC. The Delhi ground is a small ground and the pitch throughout the WPL and now in IPL has been high scoring. Nothing tells me that it would be any different today.
3. Players To Watch For Delhi
Jake Fraser-McGurk has had an impact in all the outings for Delhi. Expect him to have another good game for Delhi. With Warner back in the side they sent him at 3. At Delhi would rather want him to open and make the most. At 222 strike rate you want him to face as many balls as possible.
Kuldeep Yadav is a treat to watch these days. With 10 wickets he is 3 wickets away from the leader board. Chahal has made his case for the World Cup and Kuldeep would want to cement his slot as well.
David Warner with 167 runs in 7 outings hasn’t performed well this year. Ricky Ponting will want more from his ace batsmen. The stakes are high in IPL and if Warner continues with the poor form don’t think he will be given an extended run. Delhi pitch will suit him.
4. Players To Watch For Gujarat
Shubman Gill has to be the key for Gujarat. If he fails expect the team to fall like 9 pins. Good thing is that he is doing well. Has scored 298 in 8 innings and would want to increase the count and get in the 300 club today. We have seen 3 centuries in the last 2 days, may be we see another one today.
Rashid Khan needs to take wickets. He need to be the potent weapon that he used to be. Sad thing is that he has to deal with a tarmac named Delhi today. He would need to come up with his best to have any impact on this game.
Sai Sudharsan’s mediocre outings are a reason why Gujarat is where they are. They are still not out of it but they need to win today. If they win today they join the likes of Lucknow, Chennai, Kolkata and Sunrisers albeit with an extra game.
5. Betting Tips:
Run Line is at 188.5 at the time of writing this blog and I think it is a fair line. If Delhi is batting first surely they get more than that. If Gujarat is batting then i might hold on to it. Gun to my head, i would go overs.
Match Bet: Delhi Capitals at 2.04 and Gujarat at 1.94. Nothing in it and that is because both the teams have been inconsistent this year. I have a feeling Delhi Capitals will win this game. They are playing at home and their batsmen are looking in form and have 3 decent bowlers while Gujarat is relying on Shubman,Tewatia and Rashid. But good thing with betting is that you can wait to bet. I would wait and see how the teams begin and then may be take a call. I think the odds are wrong and Delhi should be favorite.
Total Bet: Both teams to score over 180 is at 1.67 that is bet i would like to take.