IPL 2021: PBKS vs DC, Match 29 – How can Delhi Capitals defeat Punjab Kings today?

IPL 2021: PBKS vs DC, Match 29 – How can Delhi Capitals defeat Punjab Kings today?

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals (DC) have had an excellent Indian Premier League (IPL) season so far. With five wins in seven matches, the Rishabh Pant-led side are sitting pretty and look like one of the top contenders for the title this year. Apart from two close losses, the side has not put a foot wrong and has been impressive across all three departments of the game, with the batting of the openers being the highlight.

Their opponents for today, Punjab Kings (PBKS) had an inconsistent start to the season but seem to have found form now as their win against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) evidenced. The KL Rahul-led side can be extremely dangerous on its day and DC can ill afford to underestimated them.

On that note, we take a look at how DC can defeat PBKS today.

IPL 2021: PBKS vs DC – Key for DC #1: Price out KL Rahul early

KL Rahul
KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been continuing his jaw-dropping form in the IPL over the past few years with more and more assured performances with the bat. In the previous match, the PBKS skipper went unbeaten as he anchored the innings amid a middle order collapse to get himself to 91 and the score to 179.

It would thus be absolutely crucial for DC to price him out early. Whenever KL Rahul has got out early, PBKS have struggled a great deal and their middle order does not inspire confidence at all. Therefore, the early wicket of Rahul would put the cat among the pigeons and it would then be difficult for PBKS to recover from the blow.

IPL 2021: PBKS vs DC – Key for DC #2: Openers should deliver like they have done so far

Delhi Capitals IPL
Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw

The bulk of the scoring by DC this season has been done by openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Both batsmen have been in terrific form and find themselves in the top 5 of the scoring charts which is a stupendous feat as they play for the same team and are opening partners.

Shaw showed his class in the previous match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) while Dhawan has been consistently brilliant. The key for DC would be for the duo to continue their scintillating touch and give them a flying start yet again. If they do so, the PBKS bowlers would come under huge pressure and might be left staring at a huge total.

Also Read: IPL 2021: “Best way to silence your critics in state cricket” – Yuvraj Singh heaps praise on Harpreet Brar

Also Read: IPL 2021: ‘I was much more confident coming into this season,’ says Devdutt Padikkal