An interesting phase of IPL will be seen today as the two youngest captains will be challenging each other. The Match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) locks horns with Delhi Capitals (DC) in Mumbai. Both Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant impressed in their debut games, albeit for entirely different reasons.
To say Sanju Samson led RR from the front would be an understatement. The batsman dug his heels when it all looked lost against the Punjab Kings, almost powering his side to victory.
RR knows if they can put together a complete performance, they are in with a shot at victory on Thursday. Rishabh Pant hardly put a foot wrong as DC skipper, getting everything right from winning the toss to hitting the winning runs.
The head-to-head record has absolutely nothing between the two sides. Both DC and RR have won 11 games each against each other in the IPL. DC has emerged victorious in each of the last five encounters against RR.
IPL 2021: RR vs DC Match Prediction
RR dealt a massive blow after their opening game loss, with Ben Stokes ruled out of the tournament due to a finger injury. Although the all-rounder will stay with the side for the rest of the IPL, his loss is a big setback for Sanju Samson’s team.
The injury means RR will sport a new opening combination for the DC game. Yashasvi Jaiswal could get a look in at the top, with David Miller replacing Stokes in the middle. Another option could see Liam Livingstone open the batting. The Englishman impressed for the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, hitting 28 sixes in the tournament.
DC has selection headaches of their own heading into the game. A COVID-19 scare means Anrich Nortje will miss the RR clash. But Kagiso Rabada was pictured training and should slot straight back into Tom Curran's place. DC is unlikely to make any other changes to the team that impressed against CSK, with Axar Patel and Ishant Sharma recovering from COVID-19 and injury respectively.
DC’s settled line-up and the embarrassment of batting riches make them the clear favorites for Thursday's game. The return of Rabada should boost their case further, and it is a game they must win if they harbor hopes of ending their IPL drought in 2021.
For the Rajasthan Royals, the setback of losing Ben Stokes may prove to be too much. The loss of leadership is something they will have to cover for as well, and his injury drastically changes the balance of a side that was not ideally balanced in the first place.
PREDICTION: DC to Win