The opening match of Tata IPL 2024 between CSK & RCB was quite one sided were CSK asserted their dominance over RCB. The 2nd match of IPL 2024 promises to be a thrilling one as both the teams Delhi Capitals (DC) & Punjab Kings (PBKS) have a lot of pinch hitters present in the side. The match is going to be played at a new venue at Mullanpur, Mohali as the surface is expected to be a batting paradise.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
All eyes will be on DC’s skipper Rishabh Pant who is making a comeback to the competitive cricket after his life wrenching accident in December 2022. It will be interesting to see whether we witness the old Vintage Rishabh Pant or not. The spotlight will also be on the batting sensation Prithvi Shaw who has amassed tons of runs in the domestic arena but last season he was seen in all sorts of trouble
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
The dynamic left handed batter Shikhar Dhawan will have to amass around 600 runs in the tourney to make the case for himself in the upcoming T20 WC 2024. There are chances that Jonny Bairstow might be promoted up the order as the swashbuckling right handed batter has got all the traits to demolish the opposition team. The dynamic all-rounder Liam Livingstone can be the surprise package for the opposition team
Probable XIs
Delhi Capitals (XI); David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Lalit Yadav, Ricky Bhui, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Dubey
Punjab Kings (XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Prabhsimran Singh, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone/ Sikandar Raza, Jitesh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh
Dream 11 Picks
David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Mitchell Marsh, Jonny Bairstow, Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Ishant Sharma
Prediction
Punjab Kings (PBKS) holds the edge over the Delhi Capitals (DC) as PBKS have a lot of match winners present in the side. The role of Shikhar Dhawan becomes quite critical as he knows how to play the waiting game as well as he can be the aggressor on the given day too. PBKS needs to capitalize on a good start and at the same time DC would be banking on the spin duo of Axar Patel & Kuldeep Yadav.