Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals: Who will break into the top four?

Both the teams have won half of their matches this season and are left with two games each. A win or loss in this one will go a long way in affecting their chances for playoffs.

Delhi Capitals is coming into this game with a comfortable win against Rajasthan Royals from the previous match. It has been a challenging season for the team, both on and off-field, with covid hitting their camp and certain crucial players missing out from playing XI. However, it's all left behind, and with Prithvi Shaw back in Delhi camp, he's expected to make a comeback in the playing XI. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh have been prolific with the bat. Mitchell Marsh has been putting forward his all-rounder skills for the team. Rishabh Pant and Rovman Powell in the middle make the batting line-up explosive. Anrich Nortje, the right-arm pacer, has found his rhythm with the ball, whereas Kuldeep Yadav, who looked to struggle in the past few matches, will look to make a solid comeback. The bowling unit might have to tighten up against Punjab's power hitters in the middle and death overs. 

On the other hand, Mayank Agarwal and his men, though they started the season with a bang, have changed their approach. They, too, are coming after a perfect win against Royal Challengers Bangalore owing to Jonny Bairstow's fiery start, carried forward by Liam Livingstone to post a formidable total. Shikhar Dhawan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa too have been good with the bat. This season, the Punjab Kings have the two best death overs and bowlers, in the form of Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh. And this makes Punjab a little ahead of Delhi.

Players to watch out for

Batters: David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan

David Warner has scored two half-centuries in the last five matches. Being the leading run-scorer for DC, he has fetched 427 runs in 10 games. He will look to replicate his performance from the previous clash against Punjab. Shikhar Dhawan has scored 402 runs in 12 games and will play a key role against his former franchise.

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada and Kuldeep Yadav

Kagiso Rabada is the leading wicket-taker for Punjab Kings. In the last five games, he has scalped 14 wickets and will be a crucial player against his former franchise. Whereas Kuldeep Yadav, though leading wicket-taker, has gone wicketless in the last two matches. He will be eager to get his form back against the team he won the player of the match award earlier this season.

Stats to keep an eye on

• Kagiso Rabada has dismissed David Warner five times in 83 balls. But Warner has also taken 124 off him, at a strike rate of 149.39.
• Kuldeep Yadav has dismissed Shikhar Dhawan twice in 37 balls while giving away only 34 runs.
• Mayank Agarwal has scored only 36 runs off 43 balls against Axar Patel but has never been dismissed by him.

In the previous clash of this season, Delhi bowlers were outstanding in dismissing Punjab batters for a low total, and they dominated the proceedings with the bat as well. Will Punjab avenge the previous clash to inch closer to playoffs, or will Rishabh Pant lead his team again to a win.