The stakes are as high as they can get even if it is not a knockout game. The first qualifier of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 will be played between three-time title winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and a Delhi Capitals (DC) which has been consistent in the previous three seasons. A win will guarantee a direct entry into the finals whereas a loss will result in the losing team playing the second qualifier against either Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) or Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
DC played their first IPL final in 2020 and looked out of place losing to Mumbai Indians. However, this time around they have the experience of the big game and know what not to do in these pressure situations.
The Rishabh Pant-led side finished on the top of the points table but lost their last league game in a last-ball thriller to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). They have been clearly been missing the services of their star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. The Aussie’s absence has been hurting DC and one of the main reasons why they have played with only three overseas players despite having the likes of Steve Smith, Sam Billings in their squad. Shimron Hetmyer is the only overseas batter who has proved to fulfill the role given to him on several occasions. If Stoinis returns, it will be a big boost for the team in the qualifiers.
On the other hand, CSK were instrumental in the league stage barring the last three matches. CSK are low on confidence but they make up for it with their experience in big games. MS Dhoni-led CSK have been one of the most consistent teams in the league’s history. That’s why it was a shock when they failed to make it to the playoffs last season.
CSK’s main problem is their overdependency on openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis. They desperately need their middle order to fire. It will be interesting to see if Suresh Raina makes a comeback in the playing XI after he was ruled out due to injury. Raina’s replacement Robin Uthappa has not delivered the way CSK expected him to.
Capitals’ also have the same middle-order problem as Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant have not gone on to get big scores in recent games, leaving too much to do for their lower-middle order. Their bowling has been a major positive for them, whether it is the fast bowling unit comprising of Anrich Norje, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan or their spinners R Ashwin and Axar Patel.
In the bowling department, Deepak Chahar has not been in the best of forms. Shardul Thakur and Dwayne Bravo are two bowlers who have immensely impressed in the second leg of the season. In the middle overs, they will be dependent on the services of Moeen Ali and Ravindra Jadeja. It will be the most crucial part of the innings as Iyer and Pant are well capable of taking on the spinners and accelerating in the middle overs.
