Much will be at stake when the Punjab Kings take on Delhi Capitals in a crucial IPL 2022 match in Navi Mumbai on Monday. Precisely, the winners of the contest is almost certain to move into the top-four of the standings, thereby boosting their chances to sneak into the playoffs, but losers will be pushed back by quite a distance in the race.

There is little to choose between the two teams. Both have recorded six wins so far and have been plagued by inconsistency. But both are coming off convincing victories in their respective last matches and will go all out for another win as there is simply no space to relax.

Both the teams enjoy positive net run rates and that is the reason why one of them would most surely enter the top-four on Monday. Currently, Royal Challengers Bangalore occupy the fourth spot, but their net run rate is in negative.

Strength wise, Punjab might be slightly ahead of Delhi, at least on paper. Promoting Jonny Bairstow up the order to open the innings has done a world of good to the Anil Kumble-coached franchise. The Englishman has hit form with fifties in the last two games and if he blazes his way to glory at the start of the innings, Punjab have batters who can demolish opposition bowling in the middle and later stages.

The best man to do so is Bairstow’s compatriot Liam Livingstone, the man who hits some of the longest sixes in cricket currently. Even in the last game, it was Livingstone who took the baton from Bairstow to boost Punjab’s innings.

But Delhi are no pushovers either. They have an in-form David Warner to flaunt at the top of the order and with Mitchell Marsh hinting in the last match that he has finally hit rhythm, both with the bat and ball, Delhi can pose a strong challenge.

It is in fact an interesting subplot which pits two England players against two Australians.

Shaw discharged

Delhi Capitals opener Prithvi Shaw has been discharged from the hospital after undergoing treatment for a bout of typhoid, the franchise said on Sunday.

The 22-year-old had been admitted to a hospital due to high fever earlier this month. “Delhi Capitals opener Prithvi Shaw has been discharged from the hospital where he was being treated for a bout of typhoid,” Delhi said in a statement.

The opener is being monitored by Delhi’s medical team, but it is unclear when he would be match fit again.

(Written with PTI inputs)