NEW DELHI: Delhi Capitals appear to have found momentum early in the season. After only two matches, they have already delivered two convincing wins, giving the sense that their earlier promise is starting to show up in results. Led by Axar Patel, the side will now look to extend that good run when they host a winless Gujarat Titans on Wednesday night at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Quick facts
- Delhi Capitals have won both of their opening matches so far, setting up a chance to make it a third straight victory.
- Gujarat Titans’ regular captain Shubman Gill is available after missing the previous game versus Rajasthan Royals due to muscle spasms.
- Sameer Rizvi’s two half-centuries were a highlight in the earlier match, but Capitals’ bowlers played the key role in both wins.
- Munaf Patel said taking 2–3 wickets in the Powerplay around 40 runs makes it hard for opponents to cross 200 unless they bowl poorly at the death.
- Delight for Capitals has been balanced by early struggles from KL Rahul and Nitish Rana with the bat.
- In IPL history, the highest first-wicket partnership in a successful chase at Delhi on May 18, 2025, was Sai Sudharsan (108*) and Shubman Gill (93*) for Gujarat Titans vs DC.
- KL Rahul’s unbeaten 112 off 65 balls at Delhi on May 18, 2025, is the highest by a Delhi batter against Gujarat Titans.
- Delhi Capitals lost both matches against Gujarat Titans last year while defending a total of 200 or more.
For Titans, the boost is that Gill is fit and back in the XI after sitting out the Rajasthan Royals clash because of muscle spasms. Even with the return, the challenge remains that Delhi’s bowling has looked structured and complete, with the attack adapting well to changing circumstances.
While ‘Impact Player’ Sameer Rizvi stole attention with two standout half-centuries, Delhi’s twin triumphs were ultimately built by their bowlers. The Capitals’ pacers have been especially important, with Lungi Ngidi, Mukesh Kumar and T Natarajan forming a pace trio that has plugged gaps left by the absence of Australia’s Mitchell Starc.
Mukesh’s form has been notable, particularly in how quickly he has picked up patterns from Ngidi. In the previous meeting against Mumbai Indians, Mukesh used similar deception in pace and length to keep batters tied down, finishing with figures of 2/26. That kind of control matters in a league where momentum can swing within a few overs.
Why Delhi’s bowling plan is working
Speaking about the team’s approach, Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel highlighted the value of early wickets. He said that when a side manages to claim two or three strikes in the Powerplay for roughly 40 runs, reaching 200 becomes difficult unless the team fails to execute during the final overs. He also pointed to Lungi Ngidi’s contribution, describing his variations and slower ball as tools that keep batters guessing.
Patel added that Ngidi has been applying his experience of playing in Indian conditions after recently being part of the World Cup. The coach also noted that the pacer’s day-to-day guidance has been useful for the rest of the bowling group, helping the unit operate as a collective rather than relying on individual moments.
Delhi’s captain Axar Patel has also been proactive with bowling changes. He has shown willingness to bring himself on, and the side has used left-arm wrist-spin allrounder Vipraj Nigam in the Powerplay as part of their plan. Alongside that, Kuldeep Yadav’s dexterity with the ball in the middle overs has helped keep pressure sustained, preventing opponents from settling into a rhythm.
The one area Delhi will want to steady is their top order. In their first two matches, KL Rahul and Nitish Rana have produced cheap returns, with Rahul managing scores of 0 and 1, while Rana has posted 15 and 0. With their preferred batting positions reportedly being backed by the management, both batters will be keen to repay that faith and give the chase or set a stronger foundation.
Gujarat’s task after the Rajasthan hit
For Gujarat Titans, the sting of the previous defeat versus Rajasthan Royals is still fresh. Titans were unable to finish the run chase after choking at the end, and that loss has underlined how small errors in the final phase can decide tightly contested games.
On paper, Gujarat’s bowling unit carries plenty of threat, with Mohammed Siraj, Kagiso Rabada, Ashok Sharma, Prasidh Krishna and the experienced spinner Rashid Khan. Even so, they have also leaked runs, which means they will need to tighten their execution if they are to avoid another chase slipping away.
To break out of their slump, Gujarat will need their batting to click as a group rather than depend on one-off bursts. With Gill leading from the front again, the hope is that stability at the top can provide the platform Titans require—especially against a Capitals bowling side that has already shown it can control both phases of an innings.
NUMBER GAMES
205 — The highest unbroken first-wicket partnership in a successful chase in IPL history: Sai Sudharsan (108*) and Shubman Gill (93*) for Gujarat Titans vs DC at Delhi on May 18, 2025.
112 — The highest unbeaten innings by a Delhi batter against Gujarat Titans: KL Rahul’s 112* off 65 balls at Delhi on May 18, 2025.
2 — The number of defeats Delhi Capitals suffered against Gujarat Titans last year while defending totals of 200 or more.
