IPL 2021: Match 50 - DC vs CSK – Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Updates

The top two teams of IPL 2021, Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will lock horns in match 50 of the Indian Premier League (IPL). A win for either side guarantees a top-two finish. Both the teams have qualified and will look to solidify their top position. DC have come from a close victory over Mumbai Indians (MI).

The match was delicately poised with DC batters looking in trouble chasing a tricky target of 130. The game stretched to the last over and if not for Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 33, the match would have turned MI’s away. Nonetheless, DC emerged victorious. However, barring Iyer, other batters have struggled which is a concern.

Meanwhile, CSK endured a rare loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR). The bowlers, which have so far been good, were taken to cleaners by RR batters. MS Dhoni would be hoping it was just a one-off bad day. Ruturaj Gaikwad has ably shouldered the batting and is the current orange cap holder with 511 runs under his belt. 

It is the form of Ambati Raydu and Suresh Raina that will be worrying the team. The head-to-head record is currently in favour of CSK as they have won 15 games as opposed to DC who have won nine games.

Pitch Report

While Sharjah and Abu Dhabi pitches have so far been a mixed bag, the pitch at Dubai has remained the same. The balls are coming on to bat nicely and the batters have looked at ease so far.  

Delhi Capitals

Rishabh Pant (captain/wicketkeeper), Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Steve Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan

Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo/Sam Curran, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Josh Hazlewood 

Key Players 

Axar Patel

All-rounder Axar Patel has so far been brilliant for DC. He has picked six wickets in the four games and also maintained a good economy rate of below six runs per over. He has bowled well in the crucial middle phase of the innings and has provided Rishabh Pant with vital wickets. Patel will once again be a vital player against CSK.

Ravindra Jadeja

CSK all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja absolutely smoked RR Mustafizur Rahman to all parts of the ground in his enterprising knock of unbeaten 32 runs. His death over assault has enabled CSK to finish off well. In the bowling too he has kept things. Jadeja would hope to continue his rich vein of form.