IPL 2024: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals Tips & Preview - Both Set Of Eyes On Rapid Resurgence This Season

By Nikhil Kalro

20 Mar 2024

Nikhil Kalro 20 Mar 2024

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Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals aim to kickstart IPL 2024 with a win.
Harshal Patel brings an X-factor to the Kings’ bowling, and Rishabh Pant returns for the Capitals.
Kings are predicted to have the upper hand due to familiarity with the new pitch.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Andre Russell plays a shot against Punjab Kings during their IPL 2023 match. (Getty Images)

Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals finished eighth and ninth last season and will be desperate to start the new campaign with a win.

Harshal Adds X-factor To Kings’ Bowling
Capitals’ Top Order In Sharp Focus
IPL 2024: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals - Tips and Predictions

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mohali will be Punjab Kings' new home ground this season in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It will host their clash with Delhi Capitals on Saturday, March 23. Both sides will be eager to start on the front foot, as they finished near the wrong end of the table last season.

The scales are evenly balanced as the reinforced squads will take the pitch for the first time this weekend. The clash features two teams that have never won the IPL. Delhi Capitals have made it to one final previously, in 2020. The Punjab Kings have never made it that far. This season is another opportunity for both sides to stake claim for silverware.

Rishabh Pant’s return is the big talking point for the Capitals. A serious car crash forced him to undergo multiple surgeries on his knees and ankle, followed by a 14-month rehabilitation. This match will mark his comeback to competitive cricket for the first time since December 2022.

Shikhar Dhawan will lead the Kings for a second successive season. Last year, they missed the playoffs after tailing off in the second half. With 373 runs in 11 innings, Dhawan was their highest run-scorer. He’ll need to score a lot more if the Kings are to challenge for the playoffs.

Harshal Adds X-factor To Kings’ Bowling

Lacking a death-overs specialist, the Kings went all out to secure Harshal Patel for INR 11.75 crore. In 2021, Harshal turned his career around by becoming RCB’s specialist death bowling, picking up a record 32 wickets that fueled his India dream.

Bigger ground dimensions in Mullanpur should help him use those patented cutters. Harshal’s addition to a strong bowling group comprising Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, Sam Curran, and Rahul Chahar gives them a formidable look.

Capitals’ Top Order In Sharp Focus

Pant is returning from injury. Prithvi Shaw has just resumed playing following a six-month injury break, while the now-retired David Warner is trying to rediscover his golden touch.

The Capitals' middle order is wonky, which puts the onus on the top order to give them good starts, which they didn’t get last year. It could mean boom or bust for them early on based on how the top order goes.

IPL 2024: Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals - Tips and Predictions

Kings have trained and played a few practice games on the new surface. Capitals would have gotten there just two days prior. This automatically gives the Kings the edge.

Verdict

Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals

The new surface in Mohali will host its first IPL match. Since the Punjab Kings have already used the bat and bowl on it during practice, they know what the surface holds. The visitors will not get as much practice as the hosts and may not get adequate time to analyse the pitch. Hence, the hosts can capitalise on home advantage and nab the win.

Punjab Kings win

Match Result

@-101.42 - 1 Unit

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