IPL 2022 Highlights, DC vs RR: Buttler ton helps Rajasthan Royals bag dramatic 15-run win at Wankhede

Rajasthan Royals openers Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal are at the crease while Khaleel Ahmed begins the proceedings for Delhi Capitals

“Ricky is not coming but he did message us on how we are going to approach this game and all this Covid stuff is going in your head, you're mentally prepared for it (the game) and to focus on the onfield stuff. He's (Ponting) the boss of the team and when the boss is not here you can feel a bit different. But we have other coaches here and they understand these things, we will be fine playing under them.”

“It's an absolute belter. Maybe a bit of turn on this wicket, but overall a very good batting wicket and expect high scores.”

Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Karun Nair, Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy, Yuzvendra Chahal

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Rovman Powell, Sarfaraz Khan, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Khaleel Ahmed

Samson: We are ready for both. Toss is something which is not in my control, but it is definitely getting out my control a lot (chuckles). The discussion was to be ready for both situations

Pant: We will bowl first. Told the boys not to focus on the outside and keep backing each other. We are gonna be talking about the same thing, end of the day we are looking to improve as a team. We are playing the same team. Anything around 150-160 would be good

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant wins toss, opts to bowl against Rajasthan Royals

Chahal presently leads the Purple Cap race with 17 wickets at 10.35 with an economy rate of 7.33. Kuldeep stands second with 13 wickets at 14.30 at 7.85 runs per over.

DC have the best batting strike rate (151.85) in this season while Rajasthan have the best powerplay batter in Buttler (196 runs at 153.12 SR). Rajasthan also have the best economy rate (6.72) in the powerplay. Delhi stand fourth with a economy rate of 7.64.

Both teams won their previous games and hence neither side will be wanting to change that formula, would they? 

Team batting first at the Wankhede Stadium have won just two of the six games played with Rajasthan being one of then, They have so far won four of their five games batting first. The average first innings score at the venue is 160. Delhi have so far lost their only game at the venue while Rajasthan won their only game.

He is the Orange Cap winner so far with 375 runs in six innings at 75 with a strike rate of 156.9 laced with two centuries and two half-centuries. However, in eight matches against Delhi, Buttler has scored 181 runs at just 25.85 with a strike rate of 179.20 with one fifty. Kuldeep Yadav can be used upfront by Delhi. He has dismissed Buttler twice in 35 balls for 34 runs only.

Rajasthan could rely on Trent Boult. Shaw doesn't like the change in angle. He has been dismissed seven times by left-arm medium variety seven times in T20s since 2020. Meanwhile, Warner has a strike rate of just 102.9 (least) against this variety, for just one dismissal during the period.

They have already put four consecutive fifty-plus stands this season. Shaw has scored 169 runs at a strike rate of 176 with two half-century scores in the last four games. Warner, on the other hand has been on a roll, scoring three straight fifties.

The DC Head Coach will not be at the Wankhede Stadium as one of his family members tested positive for Covid-19. "In the best interest of the team, the management and medical team have decided that Ponting will remain in isolation for five days, as he was a close contact," said DC in their statement.

vs SRH - won by 61 runs

vs MI - won by 23 runs

vs RCB - lost by 4 wickets

vs LSG - won by 3 runs

vs GT - lost by 37 runs

vs KKR - won by 7 runs

Position: 3rd with +0.380 NRR

vs MI - won by 4 wickets

vs GT - lost by 14 runs

vs LSG - lost by 6 wickets

vs KKR - won by 44 runs

vs RCB - lost by 16 runs

vs PBKS - won by 9 wickets

Position: 6th with +0.942 NRR

Over the course of the last 14 seasons of IPL, they have been inseparable, with each side having won 12 games a piece in 24 meetings. However, since 2019, Delhi have won five of the six matches against Rajasthan.

Delhi Capitals Squad: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Rovman Powell, Sarfaraz Khan, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Khaleel Ahmed, Mandeep Singh, Srikar Bharat, Lungi Ngidi, Ashwin Hebbar, Praveen Dubey, Anrich Nortje, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Chetan Sakariya, Ripal Patel, Yash Dhull, Vicky Ostwal

Rajasthan Royals Squad: Jos Buttler, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson(w/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Karun Nair, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy, Yuzvendra Chahal, Navdeep Saini, KC Cariappa, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Tejas Baroka, Kuldip Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anunay Singh, Kuldeep Sen, Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Garhwal

Hello and welcome to Live coverage of match number 34 of IPL 2022 where Delhi Capitals will take on former champions Rajasthan Royals at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Stay tuned for more updates!