Big picture: Spin to win again?
Hitting has been a struggle for the Capitals this season. Their collective average of 23.35 is the lowest among all teams and they have had to deal with the absence of key players like Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Marsh due to injuries. That doubles the Capitals’ concerns: a failed batting lineup on a potentially spin-friendly pitch, and the Capitals have the second-lowest batting average against spin (28.44) this season behind Kolkata Knight Riders.
Unlike LSG, the Capitals come into the contest having lost their previous two games and are at the bottom of the table with just one win in their first five games. And they are still looking for their first win against LSG, having lost all three of their games so far.
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Lucknow Super Giants’ fast bowler Mayank Yadav had left the field after bowling one in their last game, against the Titans. LSG said he will monitor his workload over the next week as a “precaution,” and head coach Justin Langer all but ruled him out of the next two games. LSG are also still awaiting the fitness of Mohsin, who suffered hamstring pain and missed his team’s last two games.
If both Mayank and Mohsin miss out against DC, LSG could play left-arm pacer Arshad Khan or right-arm quick Yudhvir Singh. They have two other overseas fast bowling options in Matt Henry and Shamar Joseph.
Probable Haq, 11 Arshad Khan, 12 M Siddharth
Capitals of Delhi
Capitals coach Ricky Ponting is hopeful that Kuldeep and Mukesh Kumar will be available to play in Lucknow. Marsh, however, is still sidelined with an injury.
Probable Ahmed, 12 years old Kumar Kushagra
In the spotlight: Nicholas Pooran and Tristan Stubbs
Nicholas Pooran is LSG’s leading run-scorer so far this season – 178 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 169.52. He has been especially impactful in the death overs, where his six-hitting abilities take his strike rate to 180. Pooran has been dismissed just once so far this season and holds the key to LSG getting a strong finish to their tickets.
Tristan Stubbs leads Delhi racing charts•BCCI
Tristan Stubbs has been the Capitals’ best hitter this season. He is their leading scorer with 174 runs and has been particularly good against spin. His strike rate of 207 against spinners is the highest for anyone who has faced at least 35 balls, so he will be key against LSG’s spinners on the day.
Statistics that matter
In the IPL, Quinton de Kock’s combined record against Ishant Sharma, Anrich Nortje, Axar Patel and Khaleel Ahmed is 193 runs at an average of 64.33. All four are expected to start for the Capitals against LSG on Friday. Ishant, Nortje and Axar have landed De Kock once each, and Khaleel is yet to dismiss him.
Since 2022, LSG has won nine of its 18 home games, the third-highest win-loss ratio among all teams. By contrast, DC has won just six of 17 road games, the fewest of any team.
Field and conditions
It is expected to be hot and humid in Lucknow and Langer said they would play on a black soil pitch against the Capitals. That could mean another slow, spin-friendly surface, like the one where LSG earned a convincing victory against the Titans.
Quotes
“What I was most proud of about the last game was that with Mayank leaving the team after just one over, we had to find another way to win, and we were able to do that. It shows that we have some depth in our team.” Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer
“We are very aware that time is running out… We have a lot of work to do. I have full confidence in the players and we can win enough games from here.” Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting
Himanshu Agrawal is Deputy Editor of ESPNcricinfo