DC vs CSK IPL 2024: Can Delhi Capitals turn their Fortunes at new home?

In the 13th match of the IPL 2024, the Delhi Capitals will face the reigning champion Chennai Super Kings at their new home ground, Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, on Sunday (March 31).

Delhi Capitals already lost their previous two games this season. This match will be crucial for them to earn the first points and return to the competition. On the other hand, the Chennai side is sitting comfortably at the top of the table after defeating RCB and GT in their two matches.

Both teams had met 29 times in the past, and the winning ratio is in favour of CSK by 19 to 10. Last season, CSK beat DC both times they met. The last time DC beat CSK was in 2021.These statistics will surely give confidence to the Yellow Brigade for the upcoming battle.

IPL 2024, DC vs CSK: Factors that can decide the fate of the Capitals

New Venue: Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam will be the home ground for the Delhi Capitals at least for two matches. As per the reports, the ground is batting-friendly, and nothing much will be there for pacers. But spinners will get help. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel are in good shape in this early phase of the competition, which might be a plus point for the Capitals.

Return of Rishabh Pant: The 27-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batter missed the last season of the IPL due to injury, but this year he is back as the captain of the DC squad. But the expected performance is yet to be seen from him. He scored 18 in 13 balls against PBKS and 28 in 26 balls against RR. A fiery innings from him against the champions can turn the tide for DC, which will also be a morale boost for them in the upcoming matches.

Questionable team selection: Players like Ricky Bhui and Sumit Kumar were already given chances in the two matches but failed to prove productive for the team. In the current circumstances, it is necessary to take urgent measures by giving chances to other alternatives. Forcing Prithvi Shaw to sit on the bench instead of using him with Warner as an opener could be counterproductive for DC.

Average performances by the bowlers: Except for Khaleel Ahmed, the performances displayed by the pace-brigade of DC in this IPL are quite shambolic. Against a strong batting side like CSK, this weakness can be fatal for DC again.

Keeping everything into consideration, DC will have an uphill battle getting over the CSK hurdle. Despite CSK being led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, the new captain is performing with dominance. In order to win the third game, DC must play as a united front with appropriate planning.