🏏IPL 2023: Match 7 - DC vs GT on 04/04/23 at 7:30 PM IST 🏏

🏏IPL 2023: Match 7 - DC vs GT at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on 04/04/23 at 7:30 PM IST 🏏

Tag and Logo credit goes to Sandy aka Sevenstreaks

Only a few days after being blown away by Lucknow Super Giants, Delhi Capitals will be forced to regroup when they take on the defending champions, Gujarat Titans, in their maiden home encounter of the season, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, on Tuesday.

Sourav Ganguly, DC's Director of Cricket, has brushed aside any early concerns regarding the performances of the players - whether it's Sarfaraz Khan's wicketkeeping or the struggle of the batters or the ineffectiveness of the pace attack, and believes it will only be buoyed by the availability of Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi.

The pace with which Mark Wood ripped through DC's batting line-up shouldn't be a cause of concern at their home venue, where they will be playing half their league games. The contest against the Hardik Pandya-led side will be an early assessment on whether the squad assembled by DC is well equipped to master the home conditions where they will be playing half their league games.

Quite interestingly, they used a different approach with their Impact Player substitute in the opening game, keeping Aman Khan - a gun fielder and a part-time medium pacer - out of action till the last over ahead of much lesser-equipped fielders with no bowling credentials in the starting XI. It's quite distinct an approach from what the other teams have taken. They did struggle with their fielding, something that was highlighted by head coach Ricky Ponting, and it will be interesting to see if they continue with that approach.

PS: Don't forget to send your predictions for Match 7

Deadline for toss prediction: 7:00PM IST

Deadline for rest of the predictions: 7:30PM IST

Make sure you hit "Submit prediction" button for initial predictions and "Update Prediction" button after making any subsequent changes to register your predictions.

Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans Pitch Report

The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium looks good for batting. The ball comes nicely onto the bat and the batters enjoy batting on this track. The new-ball bowlers may get some movement but overall, it’s a good surface to bat on.

Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans Weather Forecast

Clear skies will greet the two sides on Tuesday, with the temperatures expected to range between 19 and 31 degrees Celsius.

Team Watch

Delhi Capitals: Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi are available for the clash and the former should make it to the playing XI.

Tactics & Matchups: Since IPL 2019, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar and Rahul Tewatia have struggled against slow left-armers in T20, striking at a rate of 116, 114 and 56 respectively. Axar Patel could prove handy to control the scoring rate through the middle overs.

Probable XI: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan, Rovman Powell, Aman Khan, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Chetan Sakariya, Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed/Manish Pandey

Gujarat Titans:

Team News: Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the tournament. However, David Miller, who is available for the contest, should be a direct swap. Mohit Sharma bowled a lengthy spell in the nets and could be in consideration for a place in the side.

Tactics & Matchups: Both Prithvi Shaw and David Warner have a pretty strong record against Mohammed Shami. However, they have struggled to score as freely against left-arm pacers, for which Gujarat Titans could have two options - Josh Little and Yash Dayal.

Probable XI: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Josh Little, Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal/Sai Sudarshan

What to expect: There was a brief drizzle on Monday, and there is a possibility of a passing shower even on the match day. But there is unlikely to be much threat to the game. On a fresh track and a small ground, it should be a high-scoring encounter.

Did you know?

In 51 deliveries bowled by Axar Patel to Shubman Gill in IPL, the spinner has never managed to dismiss the batter - and conceded 72 runs

Khaleel Ahmed has dismissed Hardik Pandya twice in 8 balls in IPL, and conceded only 8 runs

What they said:

Everyone has to learn to play fast bowling. They are good. It is just that they got out. Shaw has scored runs against genuine pace in the past. It is just one ball that went through him. Even Mitch Marsh, who has played fast bowling all his life, got out early to Wood. You have got to give credit to Mark Wood for the way he bowled - Sourav Ganguly on the performance of DC batters against LSG

He has been outstanding. Even before coming here he was batting so well for the team, so I think he's one of the top players right in the country. To share a dressing room with him is also very special because I've been with them on the India A tours and the debut Indian tour for him and the team. Everyone knows he is a quality player but if you have the right ethics then anyone can get out of tough conditions. He can be a role model for the players coming up - Vijay Shankar on Shubman Gill

Thanks for tag savera

Thanks for the tag Raji

I am supporting GT

Thank you for the thread and for tagging me, Raji. 🤗

DC!