DC vs CSK Qualifier 1 LIVE: Dhoni, Pant headline knockout clash: Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings will lock horns with a place in the final on the line as the IPL Playoffs 2021 kicks off on Sunday. Capitals have the wood over CSK in recent times, and the table-toppers will be aiming to make their second consecutive IPl final, having lost to Mumbai Indians last time out. CSK meanwhile are a regular fixture in the playoffs and will look to draw on their experience and make it to their ninth IPL final.
Also Read: IPL 2021 Playoff LIVE: How to watch IPL 2021 Playoff Live streaming in your country, India
DC vs CSK Qualifier 1 LIVE: Capitals, Super Kings eye finals berth as Pant, Dhoni collide – Follow LIVE Updates
Delhi Capitals finished at the top of the table after a successful league stage campaign, winning 10 of their 13 games at the time of writing. Last year’s finalists were particularly impressive in adapting to conditions and have lost only one of their last seven games. Shikhar Dhawan has reigned supreme at the top, while the return of Shreyas Iyer and Anrich Nortje has only strengthened their bid for the title, and Rishabh Pant will hope that his team can reach the summit clash on their very first attempt. DC have their last four games against CSK and will fancy their chances in Dubai on Sunday.
Chennai Super Kings meanwhile have hit a rut and enter Qualifier 1 on the back of three consecutive defeats to end the league stage. CSK nonetheless did finish ahead of RCB in the league stage to have another attempt at making the finals as insurance. MS Dhoni and Co. nonetheless will look to turn their tide and end a run of defeats when they face the Capitals and make it to their record eighth-finals. CSK’s experience at playing in the knockouts could come in handy, with MS Dhoni’s side going against a relatively inexperienced squad under Rishabh Pant’s disposal.
DC vs CSK Qualifier 1 LIVE: Capitals, Super Kings eye finals berth as Pant, Dhoni collide – Follow LIVE Updates
DC vs CSK Qualifier 1 LIVE: Pitch report
The pitch at Dubai is on the slower side, with recent games seeing scores in the region of 130 being the norm. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals clashed in Dubai in their previous encounter, with DC clinching a hard-fought three-wicket win in the final over of the innings chasing 137 to win. Rajasthan Royals had earlier scored 185 on this track during a night game, but a score of around 150-160 would be a more realistic target on this surface.
DC vs CSK Qualifier 1 LIVE: Weather forecast
Teams winning the toss are likely to chase despite the slow and sluggish conditions on offer, With the match being played later in the evening, expect dew to be a significant factor. The temperatures are expected to be warm with clear skies, ranging anywhere between 24 to 36 degrees celsius.
DC vs CSK IPL 2021: Probable Playing XIs
Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Lalit Yadav, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravi Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Anrich Nortje
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.
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