IPL 2021, PBKS vs DC Live Score: KL Rahul ruled out, Mayank likely to lead vs Pant's Delhi Capitals

Hello and welcome to Sportstar's LIVE coverage of IPL 2021 Match 29 between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Predicted XI

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh (w), Mayank Agarwal (c), Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Murugan Ashwin, Riley Meredith, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

UPDATE from Punjab Kings: Skipper KL Rahul has been admitted to a hospital after complaining of severe abdominal pain last night. (READ)

MATCH PREVIEW

Less than 48 hours after nailing an in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings hopes to scalp another front-runner Delhi Capitals on Sunday in a clash that opens the second half of matches in the Indian Premier League.

Having lost to Delhi by six wickets in Mumbai, Punjab has a score to settle. However, its vulnerable middle-order faces scrutiny by some reputed bowlers desperate to perform to their potential.

This ‘Northern Derby’ at Ahmedabad promises a tall scoring encounter. The teams are capable of shifting gears with explosive power from  their frontline batsmen. Leading contenders for the Orange Cap -  leader K. L. Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw resume the race.

With Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer making no secret of their desire  to be in the mix and a highly-rated Nicholas Pooran desperate to end his poor form - dotted with four ducks - a few bowlers could come under the pump.

To ensure a playoff-spot, a team needs eight wins. With seven to play, Delhi has five victories and Punjab three.

Clearly, the result assumes more importance for Punjab. It needs a winning run like the one seen in last October with five successive triumphs in the second half of the competition.

Since Punjab plays its last five matches in Bangalore - the last three against off-form Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals - it gives a sense of ‘home-coming’ for Rahul, Gayle and Mayank Agarwal. Therefore, Punjab stays optimistic of its qualifying prospects.