New-look Delhi Capitals ready for Chennai Super Kings challenge

New Delhi: Over the last 12 editions of the Indian Premier League, there haven’t been too many times when Delhi have gone into a game against Chennai Super Kings with a fair chance of competing. But come Tuesday at the Ferozeshah Kotla here, it will be a battle of equals for the first time as both team started off with convincing wins in their opening matches of the season.

This is a new Delhi and just like they have a new name — from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals — the boys also showed what they are capable of on the field as they thrashed Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians by 37 runs in their opening match at the Wankede Stadium on Sunday.

Defending champions CSK too had a brilliant start to their campaign when they beat Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore by 7 wickets on a Chepauk wicket that had even MS Dhoni calling for more sporting wickets. The turner at the MA Chidambaram Stadium saw Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fold up for 70 and CSK chased it down with two overs in the bag.

But it will be a new day at the Kotla on Tuesday with both teams looking to build on the early momentum. A brilliant display in the opening game away from home will ensure that DC will have the advantage of home support in their second game. But then, the whole of India is home for Dhoni and wherever he goes, the fans follow. It will be an interesting battle between the batsmen of Delhi and Chennai’s bowlers. While the wickets in Chepauk help the spinners, the Kotla is expected to produce a batting wicket and that will mean Dhoni having to think if he wants to go in with an additional spinner in Harbhajan Singh or beef up the batting further.

Speaking after the win over RCB, Dhoni had said that Harbhajan’s role in the team will be quite floating and he will be played on and off depending on the conditions. So clearly, a look at the wicket will be must before CSK decide on the playing XI for their second game. For Delhi it was a rollicking start as they performed with both bat and ball at the Wankhede. While the top-order showed grit and determination with Shikhar Dhawan and Colin Ingram sticking it out early on, Rishabh Pant showed what he is capable of by hitting 7 sixes in his innings of 78.

In the bowling department too, it was an all-round show as Ishant Sharma (2/34) and Kagiso Rabada (2/23) led the show with the spinners chipping in with vital wickets. Axar Patel’s figures could be a bit of a worry as he gave away 42 runs from his three overs, but it is still early days in the season and DC will hope that he settles down soon.

Agence France-Presse