IPL 2020 Qualifier 2: DC vs SRH Game Plan – Can Rabada and Nortje Fire In This Do-Or-Die Encounter?

DC vs RCB – The Qualifier 2 of the IPL 2020 tournament between the teams, Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, could all be about match-ups. We take a look at a key game plan that could play a role in the crucial Eliminator fixture of the IPL – DC vs SRH.

Qualifier 2: DC vs SRH Game Plan – Rabada and Nortje crucial for Delhi

Sunrisers Hyderabad have all the momentum coming into this encounter. They have won four games on the trot and their winning streak began with a huge win against Delhi Capitals twelve days ago. In fact, the Capitals and Sunrisers have completely inversed results in their last six matches – DC losing all but one and SRH winning all but one.

Delhi Capitals only recent victory came on the back of their lead bowlers all performing, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada in particular. These two South Africans returned 5 wickets between them in that win, and conceded less than 8 an over bowling in the tough phases.

However, Delhi are yet to taste success against Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. They have lost both fixtures against the 2016 title-winners. The figures of DC’s pace duo in these encounters combined are 16 – 0 – 152 – 3. That translates to 50 runs per wicket, and here lies one reason why SRH have dominated DC – they have taken Delhi’s best bowlers out of the equation.

For Delhi Capitals, David Warner’s wicket will be vital, but the matter of taking that wicket is easier said than done. He averages over 60 against pace this year, and has dominated in the Powerplay against full and short lengths alike. For pacers, it’s crucial to keep hitting the good length against Warner, and maintaining a tight line as well, so as to ensure he does not free his arms.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have done an excellent job as a team to ensure that Warner is not the only one scoring for them. There have been flashes of brilliance from Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Wriddhiman Saha and Jason Holder as well.

However, they have collectively negated the Proteas duo because all of them have been adept at playing the short ball this year. SRH batsmen average 50 against the short-length deliveries and score at 8.5 runs an over, the only teams ahead on both metrics are Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.

Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, both among the quickest bowlers in the tournament, have hit the short length or bouncer length 47% and 39% of the time, respectively. Against a team with several batsmen comfortable on the back foot, these two must adapt and look to pitch the ball a tad fuller on the good length.

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This year, the good length ball induces a false shot 20% of the time on average. Against these two pacers, batsmen play a false shot more than 30% of the time, however. Whether or not Delhi’s lead pacers can adjust and pitch the ball on a good-length will play a role in the outcome of today’s match.