CSK hope to topple Delhi in third attempt
Twice in this season, these two sides met and Delhi Capitals emerged the winners. Delhi have odds of 1.95 to do so a third time against Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier and book a place in the IPL 2021 finals. It would then be their second straight finals in the league and it can certainly be argued that Delhi are the favorites for Sunday.
Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, come off the back of three straight defeats to the qualifiers, mostly thanks to their form early in the tournament. They have odds of 1.83 to beat DC but the task looks quite daunting for them against a pace heavy attack.
Overall and recent record even
Overall, Chennai Super Kings have won 15 and Delhi Capitals have won 10 of the head-to-head matches between these sides. However, Delhi are a transformed unit in the last few years and since 2020, they have won all four games against CSK after losing thrice to them in 2019.
RECOMMENDED BET: Delhi Capitals have a strong pace attack that can dent CSK and their batters’ weaknesses. Back Delhi at 1.95 to beat Chennai!
When these sides met twice in the season before, Delhi won on both occasions with CSK’s tried and tested template failing them against a strong bowling unit.
Keep an eye on…
Rabada and Nortje: Delhi might have lost their last league phase game, but with Rabada and Nortje capable of aiming at Chennai’s weaknesses, Delhi will back themselves to go straight to the finals. The two South African quicks could be key to their chances.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Arguably the best batter of the UAE phase of IPL 2021, Gaikwad notably struggled against short balls in his last two games, one of which was against Delhi Capitals. Nortje to be precise. The South African quick will once again target Gaikwad’s weakness.
TIP: Faf du Plessis is Chennai’s best player of short bowling and has odds of 3.00 to be the top batter for CSK in this fixture.