Rishabh Pant makes much-awaited return as DC lock horns with PBKS

Rishabh Pant is back. 

That was the biggest news ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League before MS Dhoni announced his retirement. After spending nearly two years away from the game, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has finally been declared fit and ready for the IPL. 

Delhi have made considerable changes in the off-season, adding some valuable firepower to their setup, including purchasing Tristan Stubbs, who could be a key differentiator. But barring that, a lot of familiar figures will make their return to the set-up in a bid to prove their worth. 

On the other hand, Punjab hit a mini-reset, roping the likes of Harshal Patel, Rilee Rossouw and Chris Woakes to strengthen their outfit, having let go of Shahrukh Khan. The return of Jonny Bairstow will only make them 10x times fiercer than last season. 

But will any of those additions make a difference to either of the two teams? 

PBKS vs DC Head-to-Head 

Overall - Games 32 | PBKS 16 | DC 16 | NR 0

H2H since 2021 - Games 6 | PBKS 1 | DC 5

Venue Details

A debut but for a venue. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur will host its first-ever IPL game. The venue just on the outskirts of Chandigarh, was named Punjab Kings’ home venue just ahead of the season. 

Mullanpur will be hosting five of Punjab’s seven home games this season. Now, the question might be, is it hosting a game for the first time? Nope, the venue has hosted 29 games, including one Ranji Trophy clash earlier in January. 

Unlike many venues in the country, Mullanpur is a venue favouring batting first, with an average of 22.7 for batters vs 16.4 batting second. 52.3% (145/277) of the wickets at the venue have been taken by pacers. However, spinners have a better economy rate @6.7, with three four-wicket hauls. 

14 out of the 23 times, teams have won batting first at the venue. 

Weather Forecast

Bright and sunny, with the temperature expected to soar past the 30-degree mark on March 23 (Saturday). The sun is expected to blaze at 32 degrees during the clash, and there will be a considerable drop of six degrees as the match comes to a concluding stage. 

Things to watch out for

Rishabh Pant’s return

There was a reason why the Delhi Capitals finished ninth last season. 

In the absence of their superstar leader, Pant, the franchise’s batting had a collective failure, averaging the lowest (21) per wicket. They lost a wicket very frequently (15.9 BPD), the lowest again in the league. If that wasn’t enough, their run-rate of 7.9 was yet again the lowest. 

One phase they particularly struggled with was in the middle-overs (7-15), where they had a run-rate of 7.5. That’s where the return of Pant could bolster the batting unit in a phase where the left-hander usually is at his best. Since IPL 2021, Pant has had amazing numbers against spinners, averaging 69.2 while striking at 138. 

Against a team that has struggling spinners, Pant could well and truly stamp his authority. Since IPL 2022, the left-hander has struck at 141 in his first ten deliveries at the crease, averaging a staggering 49. With his entry point coinciding with a phase where spinners are operating, expect to see the true self of the left-hander. 

How much of an addition will Harshal be to PBKS’ unit? 

On paper, Punjab have a stellar bowling unit. 

There’s Sam Curran, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar and Liam Livingstone. They have gone on to add one of the prized Indian bowling properties, Harshal Patel, to their setup as well. After a poor year with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Harshal walks into the Punjab outfit with a point to prove. 

In IPL 2023, the Haryana all-rounder conceded runs at an economy of 9.7, with a strike rate of 20.1, his lowest strike rate in the last three years. Even in the middle-overs, a phase where he normally specialises, his economy was 8.6, in contrast to the 6.8 he had in the previous two years.It was perhaps his worst year, with injuries playing a role in his form. But with a venue favouring slow bowlers, it could be the change Harshal was looking for. Considering that Punjab have severely suffered at the death last year, with just 27 wickets with an economy of 10.7, his inclusion could be a crucial differentiator.

But for Punjab to have a good year, a lot will depend on their skipper, Shikhar Dhawan’s decision-making ability, which came under severe scrutiny last year. 

Squads

PBKS - Shikhar Dhawan (c), Harpreet Bhatia, Rilee Rossouw, Shashank Singh, Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk) (vc), Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Rishi Dhawan, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Shivam Singh, Chris Woakes, Ashutosh Sharma, Vishwanath Singh, Tanay Thyagarajan, Harshal Patel, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Prince Choudhary

DC - Rishabh Pant (c) (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Kumar Kushagra, Ricky Bhui, Shai Hope, Prithvi Shaw, Yash Dhull, Swastik Chikara, David Warner, Pravin Dubey, Axar Patel, Mitchell Marsh, Lalit Yadav, Vicky Ostwal, Sumit Kumar, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Jhye Richardson, Rasikh Salam, Harry Brook* (no replacement yet announced)

Probable XIs

Punjab’s Probable XI: Shikhar Dhawan (capt), Prabhsimran Singh, Atharva Taide, Jonny Bairstow*, Liam Livingstone*, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sam Curran*, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada*, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Chahar

Impact player: Harpreet Brar

Delhi's Probable XI: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner*, Mitchell Marsh*, Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs*, Axar Patel, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje*, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed 

Impact player: Lalit Yadav/Sumit Kumar

*overseas player

Telecast and Streaming Details

The match will be live on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on Jio Cinema. The game will start at 3.30 PM, with the toss happening at 3 PM.

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