Delhi Capitals Aim for Victory Against Gujarat Titans in Crucial IPL Clash
Match Preview
On May 18th, the Delhi Capitals (DC) will strive to recover from recent setbacks as they take on the formidable Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. This match is pivotal for DC as they seek to revitalize their campaign with a much-needed win.
Delhi Capitals' Situation
Currently, the Delhi Capitals hold 13 points from 11 matches and are in dire need of a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. The team faces a significant challenge with the absence of their key bowler, Mitchell Starc, who has withdrawn from the season. Consequently, the bowling duties will fall heavily on Kuldeep Yadav and Mukesh Kumar. Offensively, KL Rahul, the team's top scorer with 381 runs, along with the emerging talent Abhishek Porel, will be crucial in stabilizing the innings. With the support of their home crowd, DC is determined to overcome their recent hurdles and clinch a vital win.
Gujarat Titans' Strong Position
In contrast, the Gujarat Titans are on the verge of securing a playoff spot, currently leading the IPL 2025 standings with 16 points from 11 matches. A victory against DC would not only guarantee their place in the playoffs but also enhance their chances of finishing in the top two. The Titans feature a powerful batting lineup, including Sai Sudharsan (509 runs), captain Shubman Gill (508 runs), and Jos Buttler (500 runs), all competing for the Orange Cap. Their bowling attack is equally robust, spearheaded by Prasidh Krishna, the current Purple Cap holder with 20 wickets, and supported by Mohammed Siraj and Sai Kishore. Having previously triumphed over DC by seven wickets earlier this season, GT will be confident in their ability to replicate that success.
Match Details
DC vs GT Match Information
| Match Details | |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Date and Time | 18 May, 7:30 PM IST |
| Live Broadcast | Star Sports |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar (app and website) |
Pitch Analysis
The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium is expected to favor batsmen, potentially leading to a high-scoring match. The surface typically remains flat, providing minimal assistance to bowlers, particularly in the second innings. Teams winning the toss may prefer to field first.
Head-to-Head Statistics
DC vs GT Head-to-Head Record
| Head-to-Head Matches | |
| Total Matches | 6 |
| Wins by Delhi Capitals | 3 |
| Wins by Gujarat Titans | 3 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
Probable Playing XI
Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis, Abhishek Porel, KL Rahul (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel (c), Vipraj Nigam, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, Karun Nair, Mukesh Kumar. (Impact Subs: Darshan Nalkande, Madhav Tiwari, Tripurana Vijay, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira)
Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Rashid Khan, Washington Sundar, R Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada. (Impact Subs: Arshad Khan, Dasun Shanaka, Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror, Ishant Sharma)
Toss Insights
Historical Toss Trends
In the last five matches at this venue, the teams that won the toss opted to bowl first each time.
Benefits of Bowling First
Out of the last nine IPL matches played here, teams batting first have won five times, while those fielding first have secured four victories. Given the recent trends, it appears that teams choosing to bowl first have a slight edge.
Match Scenarios
Scenario 1
- Toss Winner: Delhi Capitals (opts to bowl first)
- Power-Play Score: 60-65
- GT Total: 190-210
- Match Winner: Gujarat Titans
Scenario 2
- Toss Winner: Gujarat Titans (opts to bowl first)
- Power-Play Score: 55-60
- DC Total: 180-200
- Match Winner: Gujarat Titans
Predicted Outcome
While the head-to-head record between the two teams is even, the current form suggests that the Gujarat Titans are likely to emerge victorious in this matchup.