IPL 2024 – Match 2, PBKS vs DC Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today’s Match?
PBKS vs DC: This is going to be first match of IPL to be played at newly build stadium in Mullanpur
Delhi Capitals (DC) will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in match number two of the IPL 2024 in Chandigarh on Saturday, March 23.
Delhi and Punjab have faced each other in 32 matches in the IPL. Out of these 32 games, Delhi Capitals have won 16 whereas Punjab have come out victorious on 16 occasions. Notably, both sides have dominated each other while registering an equal winning percentage against each other.
But if you look at the last six matches that have been played by these two teams against each other, Delhi Capitals are the clear winners. They have completely outperformed Punjab Kings by winning 5 matches of the last six while the Punjab Kings managed to win only once, which was the last encounter between these two teams in 2023.
| Date | 23 March 2024 |
| Time | 7:30 PM (IST) |
| Venue | Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh |
PBKS vs DC What To Expect:
In spite of Chandigarh’s MYSI Cricket Stadium being a newly built stadium where no matches of IPL have taken place, Punjab Kings will definitely have some edge over the Delhi Capitals because the Kings have started their practice on this ground almost 2 weeks ago, and also the energetic Punjab crowd, which used to come in huge numbers in Mohali, will definitely be present here as the 12th man and boost their team’s confidence.
Toss Prediction:
This match being a day match will definitely provide some respite to the respective team captains from the dew factor, but the venue was used during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which witnessed low-scoring games in most cases. The wicket has been conducive to bowlers of all trades; however, the slower bowlers have been more effective with the progress of the match.
PBKS vs DC Strengths and Weaknesses:
DC’s Strengths:
The wicket is expected to slow down as the game progresses. Kuldeep Yadav could be vital for the Delhi Capitals in such a scenario. Another strength for the Capitals is Mitchell Marsh, who could be key to Delhi’s success in the tournament. Batting at the top order, Marsh can be impactful with his aggressive style of batting and very efficient with the ball in hand.
DC Weaknesses:
Regular captain Rishabh Pant is set to make his comeback following a 14-month injury lay-off after his near-fatal car accident in December 2022. The BCCI has declared him fit to play as a wicketkeeper-batter, but everyone is not sure of his form, so he’ll need to get everything right so that his inclusion might not result in a bigger failure for the Delhi Capitals.
Another setback that hit the Capitals dressing room was of Harry Brook, who would not be part of this IPL due to his grandmother’s demise. Without him, the opening pair will lack flexibility this year.
PBKS Strengths:
PBKS have a lot of illustrious batters in their lineup. Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, Rossouw, Sikandar Raza, and Sam Curran are some prominent names who will look to rock the tournament with their batting brilliance. These names have played a lot of cricket in the international circuit, and their vast experience might do wonders for the franchise. Following the 2024 auction, PBKS’ pace attack looks superior to any other team. They already have Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh, and Sam Curran on their team. At the auction, they invested a heavy amount in Harshal Patel.
PBKS Weaknesses:
As discussed, the pitch is a bit spin-friendly, yet the PBKS team management didn’t buy any experienced spinners in the auction despite the lack of quality in the spin department. In 2023, Rahul Chahar and Harpreet Brar failed to provide breakthroughs to the team in crunch situations. Both spinners jointly took only 17 wickets, with Chahar hunting eight scalps while Brar bagged only nine wickets.
Conclusion:
A look at the two sides gives the impression that the Delhi Capitals have a more balanced side. They have more players who can be impactful on a variety of wickets, and thus, it is expected that the Capitals will emerge as the winners in this game. However, the team defending a target will have an advantage.
