IPL 2019, Eliminator: DC vs SRH – Key battles that will decide the contest
Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad will face off in a do-or-die clash at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam in the first eliminator of the IPL. The two teams finished on the third and fourth spot respectively on the table. A pressure cooker situation now awaits both the teams with the prospect of elimination looming large over their shoulders.
Both the teams have won one match each in the encounters where they have been pitted against each other this season. Overall, the two teams have faced off 14 times, with SRH winning 9 matches and DC claiming victory in 5.
They have also previously faced off once at the ACA-VDCA Stadium once when DC reigned supreme.
The team winning the contest will qualify for Eliminator 2, where they will either face CSK or MI. The losers will have to pack their bags and hope for better luck next season.
While SRH have failed to match the brilliant heights of the last campaign, for DC, it has been a tournament where the squad has shown immense promise as well as progress.
With a few high-quality performers in both the units, we take a look at the key player battles which will decide the outcome of the contest:
Martin Guptill vs Trent Boult
At the start of the tournament, both the players were not the first choice in the playing XI of their respective franchises. But circumstances and key players departing have meant that both the Kiwi superstars will play a vital role in the opening phase of the contest. The injury to Kagiso Rabada has meant that Boult will be spearheading the attack for DC. David Warner’s departure has led to Martin Guptill being thrust into the spotlight as the aggressor for SRH at the top of the order. Whichever player gets their team off to the better start will certainly have the advantage in the contest.
Rishabh Pant vs Khaleel Ahmed
The introduction of Khaleel Ahmed has added a great level of potency to SRH’s bowling attack. He has been a brilliant wicket-taker for SRH, picking up 17 wickets in the 8 matches which he has played. He has used the angles and variations well, making it difficult for the batsmen to pick him. Khaleel though has a tendency to be expensive as his economy rate of 8.21 suggests. He will be up against the explosive Rishabh Pant who has shown glimpses of his brilliance so far in the tournament. He has scored 401 runs this season at a brilliant strike-rate of 157.87. Pant will certainly try to attack Khaleel whenever the pair face off, either in the middle-overs or at the death. This will also provide Khaleel with the best chance to knock over his fellow Indian prospect.
Kane Williamson vs Shreyas Iyer
Both Williamson and Iyer will have great responsibilities on their shoulders. Not only will the two skippers have to lead from the front, but will also have to navigate the middle-order of their respective sides. Iyer has had a good tournament so far, scoring 442 runs in 14 matches with 3 half-centuries. Kane Williamson, on the other hand, has had an up and down tournament, struggling at the start with a shoulder injury. He finally found his groove against RCB in the final match of the group stage, scoring a brilliant half-century. Overall, Williamson has scored 128 runs in 8 matches. Their leadership and batting skills will be tested to the extreme, in this do-or-die encounter.
