Kuldeep Yadav to Sai Sudharsan, SIX, straight down the ground
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A little over a week after that unsettling mid-game evacuation during their clash with Punjab Kings in Dharamsala—an incident that mirrored the growing Indo-Pak tensions—Delhi Capitals return to their familiar (though now high-alert) home ground at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. On Sunday, they’ll take on Gujarat Titans in what could be a season-defining clash as the IPL 2025 league stage nears its business end.
Though the emotional impact of that night may still linger, Delhi can count themselves somewhat lucky. Punjab, chasing 134, had already cruised to 122/1 in just 10 overs when the lights—and the match—were suddenly pulled. That escape left DC with at least one valuable point in a stretch where they’ve been struggling. In their last six completed games, they’ve managed just a single win, lost three, seen one washed out, and been rescued from a likely defeat in the now-infamous Dharamsala fixture.
Yet, the playoffs are still within reach. DC have three games left—all against stronger teams above them in the table. It’s a tough road ahead, and they’ll need to rediscover the ruthless form that had sparked their early-season promise. Unfortunately, they’ll now have to do it without Mitchell Starc. The veteran pacer, who hadn’t quite hit his peak this season, has opted not to return after last week’s disruption. It’s a big blow considering his experience in crunch situations.
For Gujarat Titans, the turbulence has been minimal. Their only concern now is that Jos Buttler—reintegrated into the side—won’t be available beyond the league stage, as the IPL stretches into early June following its brief suspension. But with 16 points from 11 games, GT are well placed for a top-two finish, especially with two relatively easier games to follow. A win on Sunday would officially book their place in the playoffs.
GT are riding high on their top-order brilliance. With three of their batters already past the 500-run mark this season and among the top five in the Orange Cap race, they’ve rarely needed their middle-order to step up. But in a recent rain-shortened game in Mumbai, cracks showed—only a DLS adjustment and some late hits from Gerald Coetzee saved the day. With Buttler’s departure looming, Gujarat will be keen to get more out of the middle order before the knockout rounds.
When: Sunday, May 18, 7:30 PM IST
Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
Pitch & Weather: Expect a run-fest—first innings scores at this venue have averaged 215 since last year. The heat will be intense during the day, with temperatures in the early 40s, but skies will be clear come match time.
Tied at 3-3 overall, and 1-1 in Delhi.
Availability: Starc is out, and Mustafizur Rahman will only arrive on match day, fresh off Bangladesh’s T20I in the UAE. DC could again go with fewer overseas players, like they did early in the season.
Key Tactics: Expect spin to play a role. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel both have strong records against Jos Buttler (three dismissals each in T20s). Kuldeep has also kept Sai Sudharsan quiet in the past.
Probable XI:
Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Sameer Rizvi/Karun Nair, Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mukesh Kumar/Mohit Sharma, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan
Availability: Both Jos Buttler and Kagiso Rabada are available for selection, though Buttler will leave post-league stage.
Key Tactics: Rabada has had the better of both Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul in the past (five and three dismissals respectively), and Rashid Khan too has gotten both out multiple times. Prasidh Krishna has also troubled Rahul.
Probable XI:
Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Gerald Coetzee/Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
“We’re treating this like a fresh start. Yes, it’s tough to lose someone like Starc, but we’ve regrouped. We’re focused on doing the best we can with the squad we have.”
— Vipraj Nigam, Delhi Capitals allrounder
Squads:
Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Kuldeep Yadav, Dushmantha Chameera, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar, T Natarajan, Mustafizur Rahman, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira, and others.
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Sherfane Rutherford, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, R Sai Kishore, and others.
Also Read: ‘They’ve Only Got…’ Aaron Finch Slams Team Decisions As Washed-Out Match Seals KKR’s Fate
Kuldeep Yadav to Sai Sudharsan, SIX, straight down the ground
T Natarajan to Shubman Gill, SIX, to deep mid-wicket
T Natarajan to Shubman Gill, FOUR, to deep backward point
T Natarajan to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR, the shots keep getting better. Full on middle, Sai Sudharsan gets forward and drives it sweetly
Mustafizur to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR, to third man
Mustafizur to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR, to fine leg
Vipraj Nigam to Shubman Gill, SIX, to long-on
Kuldeep Yadav to Shubman Gill, FOUR, poor delivery to start and four moRE.
Chameera to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR, to sweeper cover
Chameera to Shubman Gill, SIX, to deep mid-wicket
Chameera to Shubman Gill, FOUR, 50 for Shubman Gill.
T Natarajan to Sai Sudharsan, SIX, to backward square leg
Vipraj Nigam to Shubman Gill, SIX, again Shubman Gill hits a six to release the pressure. This is a half-volley outside off, in the slot and he gets forward to loft over long-off
Kuldeep Yadav to Shubman Gill, SIX, straight down the ground
Axar to Shubman Gill, SIX, now Shubman Gill gets into the act. It's tossed up full outside off, out comes the slogsweep and it flies well over deep mid-wicket
Axar to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR, to fine leg
Mustafizur to Sai Sudharsan, FOUR, square of the wicket
A target of 200 and Delhi would be fairly pleased with their effort. They got off to a sluggish start as Faf du Plessis struggled to find any timing, chewing up a few dot balls. But KL changed the way and got to his 5th IPL Hundred!
Siraj to Stubbs, SIX, to deep square leg
Siraj to Rahul, FOUR, between extra cover and long-off
Siraj to Rahul, FOUR, streaky... 141.8 clicks, a full, fast delivery onto off. Rahul tries a reverse ramp and gets this off the back of his bat. Sneaks through to the right of short fine and runs away for four.
Prasidh to Rahul, SIX, hundred number 5 for KL Rahul in the IPL!! Takes off his helmet and soaks in the applause, steely determination in his eyes...
Prasidh to Rahul, SIX, what a hit!! A back of length delivery onto off, angling onto off. KL Rahul stands tall on that one and hits it through the line.
Sai Kishore to Stubbs, SIX, to deep mid-wicket
Prasidh to Rahul, FOUR, to backward square leg
Prasidh to Axar, out Caught by Sai Kishore!! Prasidh and his uncanny knack of picking up wickets! Axar c Sai Kishore b Prasidh 25(16) [4s-2 6s-1]
Sai Kishore to Axar, SIX, pitched up and wide outside off,
Sai Kishore to Axar, FOUR, to long-on
Sai Kishore to Rahul, FOUR, streaky!
Sai Kishore to Rahul, FOUR, oh dear! A full delivery sliding onto the pads,
Sai Kishore to Abishek Porel, out Caught by Buttler!! Sai Kishore has the final laugh! Abishek Porel c Buttler b Sai Kishore 30(19) [4s-1 6s-3]
Sai Kishore to Abishek Porel, SIX, overpitch, get punished!!
Rabada to Rahul, SIX, fuller and angling inwards, tries to follow the batter as he backed away. KL Rahul still manages the room and swats this half volley over Rabada's head for a straight six
Rabada to Abishek Porel, SIX, smoked! A gentle half volley onto the pads, nonchalantly flicked away over backward square for a maximum
Rashid Khan to Rahul, FOUR, to deep square leg
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