Play-offs at stake

As Capitals and PK encounter each other in must-win game today

Two teams struggling for consistency, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, will aim to outdo each other in a bid to keep their play-offs hopes alive in the Indian Premier League here on Monday.

Both teams are yet to string back-toback wins this season but neither side can afford another defeat in their remaining leagues games.

Punjab are seventh on the points table with 12 points and a Net Run Rate of +0.023. The Capitals also have a dozen points and are fifth thanks to healthy NRR of +0.210, which will benefit them if two or more teams end on the same number of points.

The Capitals head to the fixture high on confidence after an eight wicket-win over Rajasthan Royals while Punjab pummelled RCB.

In Delhi skipper Rishbah Pant's words "it was close to a perfect game".

While opener David Warner continues to enjoy his purple patch, the second opening slot remains a cause of concern with Mandeep Singh and Srikar Bharat failing miserably in Prithvi Shaw's absence, who has also not fared well this season.

To DC's relief Mitchell Marsh finally joined the party. The big-hitting all-rounder shook off the rust to star with the bat and ball against RR. His and Warner's role will be crucial.

A lot will also rest on how Pant performs. The skipper looked in his element during his unconquered short 4ball stay against RR as he whacked two sixes but hasn't played the match-winning innings he is capable of yet. Rovman Powell has proven that hitting four and sixes comes easy to him and he can win matches with some assistance form the top order.

They will have to navigate through a bowling attack ably led by Kagiso Rabada, who is the highest wicket taker among pacers this season. The DC bowling department, on the other hand, was right on the mark against RR.