The Delhi Capitals’ journey in the IPL 2024 season has been a tumultuous one, with their playoff dreams hanging precariously. Skipper Rishabh Pant didn’t mince words, attributing their precarious position partly to his one-match suspension by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which he believes cost them a playoff berth.

Despite a commendable 19-run victory over the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the Capitals find themselves in a tight spot, with 14 points and a dismal net run rate (NRR) of -0.377. Their playoff hopes now hinge on other teams’ results, prompting Pant to question the BCCI’s decision to sideline him for a slow over-rate offence against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

ALSO READ: Team India’s Unusual Approach: One Warm-Up Game Ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

“I can’t say we would have definitely won the game if I had played, but our chances of qualifying would have been better,” expressed Rishabh Pant in a post-match interview.

Reflecting on his absence, Pant lamented its potential impact, emphasizing that while it couldn’t guarantee victory, his presence might have boosted their chances in the crucial last match.”The season began with high hopes, but injuries took their toll,” Pant reflected.

The Capitals’ campaign was marred by inconsistency and a string of injuries to key players like Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and David Warner. Rishabh Pant acknowledged these setbacks, acknowledging that injuries disrupted their momentum from the start of the season.

ALSO READ: Match 65 (RR vs PBKS) – Playing XI and Fantasy XI Predictions

Despite their recent triumph, Delhi’s path to the playoffs appears arduous. They are banking on both the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Punjab Kings (PBKS) – already out of contention – to defeat their rivals. Additionally, for Delhi to have a shot at qualifying, they need to win the toss against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), opt to bat first, and secure a victory margin of at least 100 runs while scoring a minimum of 200 runs.