DC vs RR in IPL 2021: 5 dream match ups to look for as Pant, Samson battle for supremacy – Delhi Capitals could seal a knockout berth with four games in hand should they clinch a win over the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday. The Capitals resumed their IPL 2021 campaign with a comfortable win over Sunrisers Hyderabad to go top of the table, with seven wins in nine games. They will face tough opposition in Rajasthan Royals, who will be buoyed by their epic win over Punjab Kings, to remain on the toes of Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore for a place in the playoffs.
With the clash of such prime importance, here’s a look at 5 match-ups that could potentially decide the outcome of the DC vs RR IPL 2021 match.
1. Shikhar Dhawan vs Chris Morris
Shikhar Dhawan has been in fine form with the bat and currently holds the Orange cap. The Delhi Capitals star went past 400 runs for the sixth consecutive season and is only behind Suresh Raina and David Warner who have achieved the feat seven times in their careers. The left-hander has been a key figure for Delhi and his partnerships with Shaw have set the tone for the side. Rajasthan Royals meanwhile will look to Chris Morris to get the better of Dhawan, despite the South African having an off-colour start to Phase 2. The IPL’s most expensive player will hope to set the record straight against Dhawan as well, with the left-hander having scored at a strike- rate of 135 against the South African.
2. Sanju Samson vs Anrich Nortje
Sanju Samson remains Rajasthan Royals’ biggest draw and the onus will be on the skipper to guide his team to a fighting total. However, Samson has hit a lean patch and will be up against Anrich Nortje, who smoked venom in his spell against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Having missed Phase 1, Nortje is intent on making up for lost ground and will fancy his chances against Samson in the early exchanges.
3. Evin Lewis vs Ravichandran Ashwin
With Rajasthan Royals boasting of a left-handed opening pair, it won’t be a surprise if Rishabh pant throws the ball to Ravichandran Ashwin in the powerplay. The offie has an impressive record against left-handers, but Lewis will be up for the challenge. In their four previous meetings across all T20s, Ashwin has never dismissed the West Indian southpaw, who has scored runs at a strike rate of 130.76 against the Delhi Capitals star. who trumps in this duel will be a key factor, as Lewis could tee off coming into the tournament on the back of a stellar CPL.
DC vs RR in IPL 2021: 5 dream match ups to look for as Pant, Samson battle for supremacy
4. Rishabh Pant vs Mustafizur Rahman
While Kartik Tyagi hogged the headlines, Mustafizur Rahman also bowled a stellar 19th over for the Royals in their win over Punjab Kings. The left-arm pacer is well advised with his cutters and is known for his penchant for death bowling, stalling the opposition’s charge. However, in Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals have the perfect antidote. Pant has scored a strike rate of 164.70 against the Fizz in the IPL and has never been dismissed by the Bangladeshi pacer in their five outings so far.
5. Prtihvi Shaw vs Chetan Sakariya
Prithvi Shaw impressed one and all during Phase 1, and his swashbuckling performances in the Powerplay have set the tone for Delhi throughout the tournament. While Shaw departed early against Sunrisers, he showed a glimpse of his class and will look to continue in his same aggressive ways on Saturday, Sanju Samson will hope that Chetan Sakariya is up to the task, and the left-arm pacer will hope to extract some swing early and send the opener packing.
