The Hindu (Erode)

Inconsiste­nt Capitals and con€dent Titans eye a crucial win

- Anish Pathiyil

Tewatia, who took Titans home against Kings, will be keen to continue the good run.

A heavy spell of rain and strong gusts of wind interrupte­d the practice sessions on the eve of the IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Both teams have had similar disruption­s in their attempt to climb up the points table this season, failing to string together a series of positive results and more importantl­y strong performanc­es. Another loss at home could put DC’s chances of making it to the playoŒs in serious jeopardy.

Despite the drubbing Delhi Capitals’ bowlers received at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad, they will not have to look too far for inspiratio­n, having bundled out the Titans’ batting unit for 89 in its backyard barely a week ago.

Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs have contribute­d to the team consistent­ly, but Jake Fraser-McGurk has arguably been the most impressive, striking two half-centuries in three matches so far.

Titans have middle-order issues of their own to deal with, but will head into the game in a positive frame of mind after a crucial win against Punjab Kings last time out.

The gaping hole left by the unavailabi­lity of Mohammed Shami is also yet to be cloaked, with both Umesh Yadav and Sandeep Warrier proving to be ineffectiv­e. The team will bank on the spin triumvirat­e of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and the star of the last game, R. Sai Kishore, to do the damage with the ball.

A win would put the Titans in contention for a top-four —nish, a feat they have achieved in each of the previous two editions.

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