IPL 2021 Match 29: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals Betting Preview

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals – Preview, Prediction, Probable Playing XIs and Value Bets.

Match Details
Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Sunday, May 2nd, 2021
16:00 SA Time

Betting Preview

The 29th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Ahmedabad. The two teams have faced each other 26 times with PBKS leading the head-to-head 15-11. Last season, both teams won a game each, with DC claiming the victory in the match that went into the super over. This season, Delhi Capitals are in great form and are the favourites.

Punjab Kings are currently sitting in fifth place in the points table with three wins in seven. Despite their lack of consistency, PBKS are fresh off a morale-boosting victory against a strong RCB side. The inclusion of young spinner Harpreet Brar made a colossal impact. With captain KL Rahul leading the team from the front and Chris Gayle starting to find his groove, PBKS will need their middle-order to step up to close matches. However, the unavailability of Mayank Agarwal and the poor run of form of Nicholas Pooran are deep concerns for them.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals are in ominous form. They are currently sitting in second with five wins in seven matches. In their previous game, they decimated Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets by chasing down 155 with 21 balls to spare. Prithvi Shaw was outstanding with a brilliant 82 off 41 balls, while Shikhar Dhawan was as rock-solid as he’s been at the other end. Although the Rishabh Pant’s men are still without the services of their star overseas pacer Anrich Nortje, their pace attack led by Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan and Ishant Sharma has delivered so far.

Injury and Availability News

Punjab Kings’ Mayank Agarwal missed the last game due to injury. Riley Meredith was struck on his knee against RCB and is likely to miss the game. Delhi Capitals’ Ravichandran Ashwin won’t be available due to his break from the IPL.

Probable Playing XI

Punjab Kings: KL Rahul (c/wk), Prabhsimran Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh.

Delhi Capitals: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Steve Smith, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan, Amit Mishra.

Pitch and Conditions

The Motera stadium is a tricky venue with something in it for everyone, be it pacers, spinners or batters. The pitch is expected to offer movement up front and ease out for batting as innings progresses. The first four matches at this venue this season have seen an average first innings score of 156.

Key Players to Watch Out For

KL Rahul: The Punjab Kings skipper is in his usual IPL form. With a brilliant unbeaten 91 off 57 balls against RCB, Rahul has moved to the top of the ‘orange cap’ leaderboard once again. The top-scorer of last season with 670 runs in 14 innings has already scored 331 runs at the halfway stage of this season. The Motera pitch suits KL’s style.

Chris Gayle: After a slow start to the season, Gayle has looked like his old self with a blistering 46 off 24 balls against RCB. The Jamaican has a good record against Delhi Capitals where, in his last two innings against DC, he has scored 69 (37) and 29 (13).

Prithvi Shaw: The pocket dynamite, Prithvi Shaw has been in superb touch this year in all competitions and now he is finally showing consistency in the IPL. With two brilliant half-centuries in his last two games, Prithvi is currently fourth in the leading run-scorers’ list with 269 runs in 7 innings. He holds an impressive strike-rate of 165.03 this season and his explosive starts have helped DC put the opponents under pressure early on.

Kagiso Rabada: The purple cap winner in 2020, Kagiso Rabada is yet to turn up this season. With only five wickets in six games so far, the leader of DC’s pace attack will hope to get back to taking wickets, as he did so frequently and effortlessly last season. Rabada was instrumental in Delhi’s win against Punjab last season. With him bowling the super over, Rabada just gave away two runs and picked up both the wickets in only three balls.

What Bets To Take

Punjab Kings

KL Rahul to be PBKS’s top batsman at 2.65.

Mohammad Shami to be PBKS’s top bowler at 3.25.

Delhi Capitals

Shikhar Dhawan to be DC’s top batsman at 2.90.

Kagiso Rabada to be DC’s top bowler at 3.25.

Prediction: Delhi Capitals to win at 1.68.