The Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals are set to clash in a crucial encounter on 16th May 2022 at 7:30 pm at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai, India. This highly anticipated match marks the 64th game of the ongoing IPL 2022. Delhi Capitals have dominated their recent encounters with Punjab Kings, emerging victorious in five out of the last seven matches, including a win earlier this season.

Delhi Capitals’ opener, David Warner, has been in exceptional form, amassing 427 runs in just 10 games and playing a pivotal role in his team’s success. On the other hand, Punjab Kings have struggled with inconsistency in their middle order, which has proven costly for them.

Both teams enter this match on the back of victories in their previous games. Delhi Capitals secured an impressive win against the Rajasthan Royals, while the Punjab Kings delivered a brilliant performance against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Delhi Capitals’ opener, Prithvi Shaw, has been absent from the team’s lineup in the last three matches. However, there is good news for Delhi Capitals as Shaw is expected to make a comeback in the next game after recovering from typhoid, which led to his hospitalization and kept him away from the squad. Shaw had a fantastic start to the season, scoring 259 runs in nine games before his illness forced him to miss the last three fixtures. His return will be eagerly anticipated by the team as they look to strengthen their batting lineup.

Led by skipper Mayank Agarwal, the Punjab Kings have kept their playoff hopes alive with a convincing 54-run victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Their batsmen showcased a formidable display in the last game, and Agarwal will be expecting a determined effort from his players as they fight for a place in the tournament.

The opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Jonny Bairstow has been a strong asset for the Punjab Kings, and they will look to build a solid partnership. Although the middle order has been inconsistent, the return to form of Liam Livingstone is a positive sign for the team. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Mayank Agarwal will be crucial contributors in the middle order, while Jitesh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, and Rishi Dhawan provide depth to the team’s batting lineup.

In the bowling department, Arshdeep Singh has been impressive and will aim to bowl tight spells alongside Harpreet Brar, who shares the new ball. Kagiso Rabada’s class has been evident in recent games, and his performance will be vital for the team’s success. Rahul Chahar, however, needs to step up his game in the middle overs, along with Rishi Dhawan.

For the Punjab Kings, Harpreet Brar is likely to retain his place in the playing eleven after his impactful performance, including the wicket of Glenn Maxwell. The team appears settled, and major changes are not expected.

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals claimed an 8-wicket win against the Rajasthan Royals in their last game, propelling them to the 5th position on the points table. The team displayed strong batting performances and drew confidence from their previous victory over the Punjab Kings earlier in the season. However, they have yet to win back-to-back games this year and will look to break that pattern in this match.

The contribution of opener Srikar Bharat will be crucial, as he needs to provide support to the in-form David Warner at the top of the order. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh put his poor form behind and played a match-winning knock against Rajasthan, gaining confidence in the process. Rishabh Pant and Lalit Yadav provide strength to the middle order, with hard-hitters like Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur to follow.