The stakes couldn’t be higher when we face Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium for our penultimate match of the IPL 2024 league stage this Tuesday. The all-important DC vs LSG starts at 7:30 PM IST.

With an evenly split win-loss record in our 12 games so far, we are seventh on the IPL 2024 table with 12 points while our Tuesday’s opponents are sixth with the same number of points but having played one match more.

The equation is also similar for both teams - it’s win or perish. DC have to win the match to even stay in the playoff hunt this season while we need a win to reignite our playoff hopes after back-to-back losses against KKR and SRH.

While a loss on Tuesday won’t knock us out of the top four race completely, it will definitely make our task ‘near impossible’. So, the goal is simple - win, win, win.

The boys are also itching to get back to winning ways after a tough couple of outings. A win against DC will not only keep our playoff hopes alive but will also provide our players with some much-needed confidence before our final league fixture against Mumbai Indians, which could prove to be a make-or-break tie for us provided we can dispatch off Delhi in our more immediate battle.

Ayush Badoni and Nicholas Pooran looked in good touch against SRH with the bat and we’re counting on the duo to continue their form against DC. KL Rahul has been our top scorer this season and we trust our skipper to step up in the crunch fixture.

The toss in Delhi may also hold significant sway on the result of the contest considering all four matches played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium this season have been won by teams batting first.

Having to go into these crucial ties with a Mayank Yadav-shaped hole in our hearts and bowling battery is hard, but the likes of Yash Thakur, Mohsin Khan and Naveen ul-Haq have, time and again, proven their abilities to step up when it matters.

Spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya will also be two very important cogs for us in the contest. Krunal (3) and Bishnoi (2) have dismissed Rishabh Pant five times in the IPL and getting DC’s key batter early may just unlock the match for us.

News from DC camp

DC are also coming into the fixture on the back of a loss against RCB but the capital side will be bolstered by the return of their captain Rishabh Pant, who was suspended for the Bengaluru tie.

Pant, returning from a long injury layoff, has been the lynchpin of the Delhi side this season and is their top scorer with 413 runs from 12 matches. 

Aussie youngster Jake Fraser - McGurk has also impressed with the bat in DC colours and is enjoying a terrific breakthrough season in the IPL.

In pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar, DC boasts of a very potent fast-bowling partnership which has accounted for 32 wickets this season. Experienced spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav also have 25 wickets between them this campaign.

Rasikh Salam has also been in good form with the ball for them lately.

DC VS LSG history

We lead the head-to-head against DC by a comprehensive 3-1 margin. We did a double against them in our debut season back in 2022 before securing an emphatic 50-run win at the Ekana last year.

However, Delhi did pull one back in the reverse fixture this season, subjecting us to a six-wicket loss at home.

Stats that matter

  • Marcus Stoinis is seven sixes away from 250 sixes in T20s.
  • KL Rahul is four fours away from 400 fours in the IPL.
  • KL Rahul is 80 runs away from 500 runs against DC.
  • Krunal Pandya is 26 runs away from 500 runs for LSG. He will be the seventh player to do so.

How to watch DC vs LSG live

Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

Match start time: May 14, 7:30 PM IST

Streaming: Jio Cinema

TV channel: Star Sports Network