EXCLUSIVE
Follow UsDelhi Capitals (DC) have been in fine form over the last two seasons and are once again on the verge of finishing the top two in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 points table. DC, who are currently in second take on table-toppers Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their next match. Both teams have qualified for the playoffs, but the chance to finish in the top two are still up for grabs.
Former England batsman Mark Butcher says that DC is certainly not a team CSK would want to take lightly.
“A lot of the times teams talk about keeping the core of the side together because the roles become so defined and the winning feeling is good to go around. Some of the older players in the tournament – might not be a bad time to freshen up some legs. But I don’t think they want to do it against Delhi,” Butcher said on Cricket.com’s Man vs Machine.
“Back in April Delhi smashed Chennai. This is not a team they would want to take lightly, not a game they would want to take lightly – the one that they definitely want to win before they go into their last match against Punjab Kings. Then they might think about experimenting when they have secured their top two place,” he further added.
However, Butcher is impressed with the way DC bounced back after their loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and adds that Avesh Khan is a bowler to look out for in the competition.
“It was a bounce-back win, they needed it, after a reversal last week (vs KKR). Only chasing a small total and they did in pretty good style in the end,” Butcher said.
“Avesh Khan has been somebody to keep an eye on in the competition – his 3 for 15 (vs MI) was pretty good. Shreyas Iyer continues to show what a terrific player he is, calmly making run-a-ball 30 to get them over the line. It wasn’t a classic but they got the job done, they got the points in the bag and that’s all matters,” the former England batsman added.
CSK go into the match against DC off the back of a seven-wicket loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, Butcher is not too worried about that.
“They are allowed a hiccup. They were on the back of a 4-5 game winning streak. T20 is such a game with such high risks where the odd player can make such a big difference that you lose the odd game from time to time. So that wasn’t a bad time for them to do that,” Butcher, a veteran of 71 Tests for England, said.
Both CSK and DC have 18 points from 12 games so far. A win today for either side will guarantee them a top-two spot, which could be crucial when the playoffs come along.