IPL 2019: Young Delhi Capitals need to thwart David Warner as Sunrisers Hyderabad test awaits

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  • David Warner and Jonny Bairstow smashed tons against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Image: BCCI/SPORTZPICS

    Containing David Warner will be Delhi Capitals’ biggest task as they get ready to entertain Sunrisers Hyderabad in a Indian Premier League (IPL) clash on Thursday.

    The Australian opener has been in sensational form on his return to the IPL after a one-year absence and has already chalked up a ton and two half-centuries in his three innings so far.

    Warner has been batting like he has never been away with the southpaw’s 254 runs in three matches coming at a staggering strike-rate of over 175. His record 185-run stand with fellow centurion Jonny Bairstow was at the forefront of Hyderabad’s comprehensive 118-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore.

    Playing in his maiden IPL campaign, Bairstow has already stitched together three century stands with Warner in as many matches with the pair establishing themselves as the most formidable opening partnership in the IPL.

    While the Kane Williamson-led Sunrisers have garnered two victories from their three matches, Delhi Capitals have racked up the same number of wins although they have played one match more.

    It should have, in all probability, been three victories out of four for Delhi but for a dramatic collapse against Kings XI Punjab in their most recent encounter. Shreyas Iyer and his men were on course for a comfortable win before a Sam Curran hat-trick saw them lose their final seven wickets for just eight runs.

    The inconsistencies of youth have shown in Delhi’s topsy-turvy campaign so far with the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Iyer and Rishabh Pant blowing hot and cold. One batsman who has been consistent for Delhi has been Shikhar Dhawan, with the India stalwart providing some much-needed stability at the top of the innings.

    The left-hander has registered one half-century so far in four matches and will be determined to put on a strong show against his former side Hyderabad.

    While Warner and Dhawan are poised to play big roles for their respective sides on Thursday, another interesting battle will be the one between the overseas leg-spinners for both teams.

    For Delhi, much will be expected from Sandeep Lamichhane with the Nepal sensation starting to come into his own after missing out on his side’s first two clashes. The 18-year-old was impressive in the defeat to Kings XI with two crucial scalps and his match-up with No.1 ranked T20 bowler Rashid Khan is set to be an intriguing one.

    Rashid’s wicket-taking abilities have never been in doubt but the Afghan star has not had the most prolific of campaigns so far despite his miserly economy-rate. After collecting just two wickets in his three appearances, the leg-spin maestro will be itching for a much bigger haul against Delhi.

    TEAM NEWS

    Sunrisers skipper Kane Williamson missed out on his side’s clash against Royal Challengers with a slight niggle but his return throws up a serious dilemma for the franchise.

    Williamson was replaced by Mohammad Nabi in the clash with the Afghan all-rounder then going on to finish with match-winning figures of 4-11. There remains a big possibility that the Kiwi skipper misses out once again with Nabi currently in such excellent form.

    LIKELY XIs

    Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Colin Ingram, Chris Morris, Hanuma Vihari, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Sandeep Lamichhane, Amit Mishra.

    Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Vijay Shankar, Manish Pandey, Deepak Hooda, Yusuf Pathan, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (c), Sandeep Sharma, Siddarth Kaul.

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