Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS)will be locking horns with each other in the 11th match of IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, in the second game of Sunday. Both DC and PBKS are in a similar situation right now, having won their first match and lost the second.

DC registered a dominating win over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by seven wickets before suffering a loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a thrilling finish. As for PBKS, they survived the Sanju Samson scare against RR but were routed by CSK owing to a brilliant bowling spell by Deepak Chahar. As DC and PBKS meet on Sunday, here are 3 player battles to watch out for.

#3 KL Rahul vs Kagiso Rabada

KL Rahul disappointingly ran himself out against CSK, while the other batsmen lost their wickets to Deepak Chahar. He will be raring to make amends against DC as continue his good form. He played a fiery knock of 91 against RR. Rahul will look to lead from the front to bring PBKS back to winning ways, but Kagiso Rabada can be a difficult bowler to tackle for him. 

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Rabada will be keen to set things right against PBKS. The South African fast bowler is renowned for taking wickets at crucial junctures as well as at the death. He would be keen to win the early battle with Rahul.

#2 Shikhar Dhawan vs Mohammed Shami

Shikhar Dhawan may have failed against RR, he will be facing PBKs with some confidence as he had a phenomenal outing against CSK. Dhawan is a rhythm player, but his rhythm can be broken by the likes of Mohammed Shami, who has been taking crucial wickets of PBKS. Even in the match against CSK, where the bowlers had nothing to bowl with, Shami still made an impression with two wickets, troubling the CSK batsmen. It will be experience against experience when Shami and Dhawan will be facing each other. 

#1 Chris Gayle vs Ravichandran Ashwin

Universe Boss Chris Gayle is yet to set the tournament on fire apart from his quick 40 from 28 against RR. With Mayank Agarwal struggling for runs at the top, it will be all the more crucial for Gayle to score some runs for the team. The man himself will be keen to leave his stamp on the game against DC.

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DC off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was expensive in the first match against CSK, but he made a brilliant comeback against RR. Even though he did not pick up any wicket, he conceded just 14 in his three overs. DC made a tactical error by not letting him complete his quota of overs. Ashwin is someone who loves a challenge and bowling to Gayle is definitely one.