Saikiran Uppuluri
Saikiran Uppuluri
The stage is set for a thrilling opening encounter in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) as Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals take on the Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. Pant’s remarkable recovery from a near-fatal car crash and subsequent knee surgery has captured the imagination of cricket fans worldwide, and his return to competitive cricket will be closely monitored by the BCCI as they consider his inclusion in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup.
While Pant exudes confidence and optimism, the Delhi Capitals will be looking to provide him with a solid platform through their batting lineup, featuring the likes of David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. The bowling attack, spearheaded by the veteran Ishant Sharma, will aim to keep the Punjab Kings’ star-studded batting lineup in check.
On the other hand, the Punjab Kings, led by Shikhar Dhawan, will be eager to shed their perennial underachiever tag and make a fresh start at their new home ground in Mullanpur. With the return of Jonny Bairstow and the added responsibility on Jitesh Sharma as the vice-captain, the Kings boast a formidable batting lineup. Their pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada and Arshdeep Singh, will be further bolstered by the addition of Harshal Patel, who will look to make an impact with his slower bouncers, a tactic that could become more effective with the new rule allowing two bouncers per over.
