Magazine : 
DC vs CSK, IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings aim at qualification, Delhi Capitals look to end season on a high
In their quest to secure a spot in the IPL 2023 playoffs, the determined Chennai Super Kings are set to take on the already eliminated Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals will aim to conclude their disappointing IPL 2023 campaign on a positive note in their final league game. Currently, the Chennai Super Kings occupy the second position on the points table, having accumulated 15 points from 13 matches.
A victory would guarantee CSK a place in the playoffs. However, a defeat against the Delhi Capitals, combined with a series of unfavorable outcomes, could result in the four-time champions missing out on the remaining stages of the IPL. The slow nature of Feroz Shah Kotla track will suit CSK's game-plan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in all likelihood playing his last competitive game in the National Capital will like to make full use of the conditions against an out-of-sorts team.
Batting has been CSK's strong suit. Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane have provided solid starts but CSK need the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali to complement Shivam Dube better in the middle overs. Dhoni has managed some cameos in the fag end of the innings and the skipper is expected to continue doing so despite calls of him coming up the order.
On the bowling front, Tushar Deshpande has been expensive but he gets breakthroughs while young pacer Matheesha Pathirana has been doing a good job. The spin trio of Jadeja, Moeen and Maheesh Theekshana have also been effective in stemming the flow of runs.
But standing in CSK's way is an unpredictable Delhi side. After a miserable first half, where they lost five games on the trot, the Capitals did manage to pick up some momentum, winning five out of their next eight games but it came too late in the competition. They are out of the reckoning but head into the contest on the back of their first 200 plus scores and a morale boosting 15-run win over Punjab Kings, all but ending their chances of qualification.
David Warner and Co. would like to play the proverbial party-poopers once again by ending their IPL season with a win at home. But Delhi hasn't fared well at home, with skipper Warner conceding their batting unit has struggled to figure out what the best total is at the Feroz Shah Kotla this season because of slow and inconsistent pitches.
Apart from a few cameos by Axar Patel, Delhi's Indian batting line-up has failed miserably this season. Prithvi Shaw has perhaps been the biggest letdown along with veteran Manish Pandey, who is into his 16th IPL season. After a string of underwhelming performances he was forced to warm the bench. But the opener came back and scored his maiden half-century of the season and would want another good knock.
Warner has mostly carried the Delhi batting with the likes of Mitchell Marsh, Phil Salt and Rilee Rossouw showcasing their batting prowess in some games. The bowling unit has eked out most of Delhi's wins with the spin duo of Axar and Kuldeep Yadav doing a remarkable job. Old warhorse Ishant Sharma has been invaluable, handed the ball in crunch situations, the veteran pacer kept his calm won the matches against Gujarat Titans and Punjab. However he hasn't provided too many breakthroughs despite being accurate on most occasions.
After leaking runs in the initial games, Anrich Nortje has also found his groove while Khaleel Ahmed has also been impactful on occasions and profligate at other times. Delhi's fielding against Punjab was atrocious, dropping as many as four catches that almost cost them the match. Come Saturday, the hosts will need to put up a much better display.
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