In the second Qualifier of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 the Delhi Capitals (DC) will be facing the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Sunday. In the last couple of weeks, SRH has been absolutely sensational as they have pulled off four consecutive wins. They beat both MI and DC, who are the only other remaining teams in IPL 2020, during this winning streak.
Despite losing the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mitchell Marsh to injury, SRH’s bowling attack hasn’t disappointed with T Natarajan and Rashid Khan picking up 35 wickets between them. The duo of Kane Williamson and Jason Holder held their nerve against RCB with an epic partnership in the eliminator. On the other hand, DC isn’t in the best of form. They have won only one of their last six games.
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Kagiso Rabada also has had some woeful outings in recent games, which has been detrimental to their fortunes. They will need the duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Shreyas Iyer to come up to get their forms back against a well-rounded SRH bowling attack. DC was at the receiving end of thumping losses in both their IPL 2020 fixtures against SRH. Rashid Khan spun a web around their batting unit, which has blown hot and cold in this IPL.
As the two sides prepare for a thrilling encounter, here’s a look at three key player battles to keep an eye on.
#1. Rashid Khan vs Shreyas Iyer
In IPL 2020, Rashid Khan has played 15 matches in which he has scalped 19 wickets at a strike rate of 18.94 and he has also maintained an excellent economy rate of 5.30. The last time SRH faced DC, Rashid wreaked havoc with figures of 3 for 7. However, the DC skipper, Shreyas Iyer has had a disappointing IPL 2020 so far. He has amassed 433 runs in 15 matches, but his strike rate has been a poor 123.36, and he has only two fifties to show for his efforts.
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Iyer’s last fifty in IPL 2020 came as far back as October 14 against the Royals and ever since, his shot selection has left a lot to be desired. However, the DC skipper will be expected to come good in Qualifier 2. Being one of the better players of spin in the Delhi line-up, he should take up the responsibility to tackle the major threat of leggie Rashid in Qualifier 2.
#2. David Warner vs Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is the second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2020 has been not been able to produce the performance he was expected ahead of IPL 2020. He will be optimistic to continue his form especially against SRH skipper, David Warner, whose sublime stroke play can ruin the bowling figures of some of the best in the business. Warner is amongst the top run-scorers in the ongoing edition, having scored 546 runs in ten matches at a strike rate of 135.14. He has been ensuring a quick start for SRH and he is yet to hit the heights of his capability.
#3. Shikhar Dhawan vs Sandeep Sharma
One really doesn’t know which Shikhar Dhawan would turn out to bat in Qualifier 2. While he has amassed 525 runs from 15 games at an average of 43.75 and a strike rate of 144.23 — his inconsistency of late has been worrying. With Prithvi Shaw and Ajinkya Rahane struggling, there will be a lot of responsibility on Dhawan to lift his game in Qualifier 2.
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It was Sandeep Sharma who dismissed Dhawan first ball the last time these two teams met. The medium-pacer has been central to SRH’s late resurgence as he has been quite accurate with his bowling. By keeping things very simple, Sharma has picked up nine wickets in the last five matches, and Dhawan would be well aware of the danger of Sharma, but he is someone who backs himself to take on the opposition bowlers.
