Delhi Capitals, coached by Ricky Ponting, have one of the most balanced sides in the current IPL and their position near the top of the table is a reflection of that. Another clinical performance is expected from them when they take on Rajasthan Royals on Saturday.

The Rishabh Pant-led side had a sensational first leg, winning six games in eight outings and now they have started the second phase too on a high. In their first match in this leg, Delhi thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets on Wednesday.

There is no reason why Delhi should not be considered as the favourites for Saturday’s game even though Rajasthan, who were struggling to find their feet in the first leg, snatched a morale-boosting two-run win from the jaws of defeat against Punjab Kings.

Rajasthan, who are without many of their top players, have struggled with consistency and if they are not at the top their game, a strong Delhi side may just trample over them.

Sanju Samson. File photo

For Rajasthan, youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mahipal Lomror rose to the occasion with the bat against Punjab but skipper Sanju Samson will be expected to take more responsibility. In the bowling department, pacers Kartik Tyagi and Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman did the job in the end.

But while such close finishes are good to watch, it actually points at weaknesses in the team. Everything will not click every day and Rajasthan would surely know that.

Delhi openers Shikhar Dhawan, the leading run scorer of the tournament this season, and Prithvi Shaw look to be in good touch. Dhawan (422 runs) and Shaw (319 runs) have provided flying starts to their side with six half-centuries between them along with 88 fours and 21 sixes. For any bowling unit, facing the Dhawan-Shaw duo is a scary proposition.

If that is not enough, there’s Shreyas Iyer, Pant, Steve Smith and Shimron Hetmyer, each one of them capable of playing match-winning knocks.

Iyer made a stunning return with an unbeaten 47 after missing the first leg due to injury, which is a big positive for the side.

In the bowling department, Delhi Capitals are unlikely to tinker with their pace attack, as Avesh Khan has been impressive and South African Kagiso Rabada can do the damage early while Anrich Nortje provides the express speed.

Today’s matches

⚫ Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals, Abu Dhabi (3.30pm IST)

⚫ Sunrises Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings, Sharjah (7.30pm IST)