Fantasy Preview: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, 64th Match, IPL 2022

We are already 63 matches into the IPL 2022 but three playoffs spots are up for grabs. Only Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians are out of the contention whereas Gujarat Titans are the only franchise to have raced ahead and claimed the top two spots so far. In such a scenario, the game between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals will have their share of importance, even though both sides have suffered mind-boggling inconsistencies in the competition. The last time these two sides had come face to face against each other, it was the latter who claimed the nous but that is almost a month ago. Who will win this battle of fresh heads?

Ground Details

Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai has hosted 18 matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League so far, with an average first innings score of 169/7 but the average first innings win score stands at 185/7. Teams batting first and batting second almost have the same kind of impact, with the wins standing being 8 and 10 in the ongoing season respectively. Pacers have claimed a total of 156 wickets this year at the venue, on the other hand, spinners have accounted for 60 wickets at an average of 30.7. Spinners, however, have been very economical in that regard.

Team selection

The team we've picked has a good mix of world-class batters and bowlers. But remember, while you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captain Selection

David Warner had a late start to IPL 2022 but in the ten innings he has played, the Aussie batter has shown why he is amongst the best batters in the entire league, crossing the 400-run mark in this season with an average of over 60 and an SR over 150. Warner has now scored 400+ runs for the 8th time in an IPL season and he has done this in the span of just 13 seasons which goes to show his great consistency in this tournament. 

Our Criclytics Player Projections predict Warner to score 29-43 runs

X-Factors

One of the best batters of pace bowling, Mitchell Marsh has come good in the recent outings and put on a match-winning performance by scoring 89 runs from just 62 balls against Rajasthan Royals. He also took a couple of wickets with the ball in that match. Marsh has been aggressive towards the pacers and has scored the bulk of his runs against them this season. Can he repeat the heroics in the ongoing season?

Our Criclytics Player Projections predict Warner to score 21-31 runs

Bairstow failed to hit even a single six when he batted in the middle order. When he was made to open, he averaged 41 striking at 164, and hit 8 sixes in the last two matches. Bairstow’s stronger suit is to take on the pacers inside the PP – He has averaged 65 at an SR of 171 in PP. All his 8 sixes this season have come inside the PP. Among batters to have hit 100+ runs in PP this season, Bairstow’s SR of 171 has been the highest.

Our Criclytics Player Projections predict Bairstow to score 27-41 runs

Here are the top-ten picks as per Criclytics predictions