May 8: Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Capitals, 55th Match, DY Patil Stadium
Safe XI: Rishabh Pant, David Warner (capt), Devon Conway, Rovman Powell, Robin Uthappa, Mitchell Marsh, Dwaine Pretorius, Moeen Ali, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed (vice-capt), Maheesh Theekshana
Captain: David Warner The opener from Australia is the fourth leading run-scorer in this tournament with 356 runs in eight games at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 156.82. In the last eight outings against Chennai Super Kings, he has recorded 50+ scores in six games accumulating 405 runs at an average of 50.63.
Vice-captain: Khaleel Ahmed The left arm pacer from Rajasthan has taken 14 wickets in seven games this season and is yet to go wicketless, which makes him a safe vice-captaincy option for this game. He has been brilliant in the first 15 overs of the innings, picking up 11 wickets at an average of 13.63 and an economy of 7.14
Hot Picks
Devon Conway: The South Afica born New Zealand player has been the man in form for Super Kings in the last couple of games scoring 85*(55) and 56(37). Since 2021 in T20s, he has amassed 1447 runs in 40 innings at an average of 51.67 and a strike rate of 132.28. In that same period, he has a stunning average of 75.87 against spinners, which is very key to succeed in IPL.
Kuldeep Yadav: The purple cap contender is the second leading wicket-taker this season with 18 wickets in ten games so far. He has been highly successful in the middle overs phase picking up 17 wickets which is the most by a bowler in that phase. With Super Kings struggling in the middle overs phase, expect him to pick up some wickets.
Differential Picks
Maheesh Theekshana: This versatile mystery spinner from Sri Lanka has been terrific for Super Kings this season picking up 11 wickets in seven outings at an economy of 7.42. His five wickets in powerplay is the most for a spinner this season and his four wickets in death overs is the second most for a spinner after Yuzvendra Chahal.
Mitchell Marsh:Mitchell Marsh has slowly found form for Capitals this season. He has contributed with both bat and ball in the last couple of games scoring 47 runs and picking up a wicket which helped him to get into the top performing players in both those games.
High Risk XI: Rishabh Pant, Robin Uthappa, David Warner, Ambati Rayudu, Rovman Powell, Moeen Ali (capt), Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Choudhary, Maheesh Theekshana (vice-capt)