Team News & Form Guide
Delhi Capitals (DC) come into this crucial clash under pressure, having lost five of their last seven matches. Their early-season momentum has faded, and the loss of key players has further complicated their playoff hopes. Mitchell Starc, their leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps, has opted out of the remainder of the league, citing limited confidence in the team’s chances. Mustafizur Rahman has been signed as his replacement.
Additionally, Delhi will be without Jake Fraser-McGurk and Donovan Ferreira, both ruled out for the rest of the campaign. Tristan Stubbs, another important batter, won’t be available for the knockout phase if they qualify.
Projected DC XI: Porel, Du Plessis, Nair, Rahul, Axar, Stubbs, Ashutosh (Impact), Vipraj, Kuldeep, Chameera, Mohit.
In contrast, Gujarat Titans (GT) remain a stable unit. They’ve kept their overseas core intact throughout the league stage and have used the mid-season break to recalibrate. While Jos Buttler and Kagiso Rabada won’t be available for the playoffs, GT still field a strong XI for this match. Kusal Mendis is expected to step in if they reach the knockouts.
There may be some pressure on Shahrukh Khan’s spot in the XI, with Dasun Shanaka and Karim Janat pushing for inclusion to strengthen the middle order and gain valuable game time.
Projected GT XI: Sai (Impact: Kishore), Gill, Buttler, Rutherford, Shahrukh/Shanaka/Janat, Tewatia, Rashid, Rabada, Prasidh, Siraj, Arshad.
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Pitch and Conditions
The Arun Jaitley Stadium has been a high-scoring venue in recent IPL night games, with totals over 200 posted six times in the last eight matches under lights. Two of those scores have come this season alone, indicating a flat surface ideal for strokeplay.
The break in the schedule may have further aided pitch preparation, suggesting another high-scoring contest could be on the cards. With no rain in the forecast and short boundaries in play, batters are expected to dominate.
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Head-to-Head and Tactical Insights
Gujarat Titans hold a psychological edge, having convincingly beaten Delhi earlier in the season by seven wickets while chasing a target of 204. On that occasion, Jos Buttler starred with a masterful 97 off 54 balls, showcasing the batting depth Gujarat possess.
Delhi, missing Starc’s wicket-taking ability, may find it difficult to disrupt GT’s rhythm—especially in the middle overs, where partnerships have been GT’s strength. DC will need their spinners and Axar Patel’s all-round efficiency to step up if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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Conclusion
Delhi’s fading form and squad changes leave them vulnerable against a more settled and efficient Gujarat side. The Capitals need a complete performance, both with bat and ball, to overcome a team that’s proven resilient and tactically astute. Gujarat, needing just one more win to solidify their playoff berth, will look to maintain momentum and iron out combinations before the knockout stage.
