Can Delhi Capitals Still Qualify If They Win Two Matches?

New Delhi, May 19 (NationPress) The significance of Delhi Capitals securing a victory against Gujarat Titans in their final home match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was evident as they arrived at the venue much earlier than usual.

A win over GT would have kept their playoff aspirations alive; however, that did not materialize as B Sai Sudharsan scored an impressive 108 not out off 61 deliveries, and Shubman Gill contributed an unbeaten 93 off 53 balls, leading to a crushing ten-wicket defeat for DC, marking their fourth loss of the season in New Delhi.

With GT, RCB, and PBKS advancing to the playoffs, DC's chances are now hanging by a thread. Wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel believes that if DC wins their remaining matches – against Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings – they can still secure the last playoff position. Porel, who scored a brisk 30 runs off 19 balls, noted that the pitch improved for batting as the match went on.

“They batted exceptionally well. In the first innings, the ball was gripping a bit, which influenced our approach. But as the game progressed, the wicket became much better. Initially, I thought we had a good score, but they performed really well,” he stated.

“We played commendable cricket. At times, we fell behind, which affected our chances of winning. Yet, we demonstrated good cricketing skills. We still have two opportunities ahead. If we win both matches, our chances of qualifying are very much alive. There are no significant challenges on the ground,” he conveyed during the post-match press briefing.

Nonetheless, achieving this goal won't be straightforward, as DC has lost five out of their last eight matches. Their upcoming game against MI at Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday is at risk of being affected by rain. DC's last league match will be against a formidable PBKS team already qualified for the playoffs.

The continuous changes in the opening order have not aided DC's cause – against GT, they featured KL Rahul and Faf du Plessis as their opening pair, marking the seventh different pair DC has utilized this season, leading the league, with Chennai Super Kings following with five combinations.

Rahul dazzled with a spectacular 112 not out off 65 balls. “The decision lies with the team management. I can only play where they want me to. Regarding the opening position, it's beyond my control. The team is doing what it feels is right. Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes we do not. But we are still performing adequately,” he commented.

“The team environment is excellent. I don’t foresee any impact from switching between batting positions. My role is to contribute positively for the team, and I must adapt to what is required,” added Porel when questioned about the unsettled top order.

While Porel's strike rate is a robust 150.51, his overall performance reveals 295 runs in 12 innings, averaging 26.82. Porel admitted that he is keen to enhance his game with each match and has received substantial backing from mentor Kevin Pietersen and the entire team management.

“In this second season, I've faced ups and downs. I am learning continuously, and I aspire to apply those lessons in the upcoming matches. I am focusing on how to learn from the remaining two matches to improve further.”

“Working with Kevin Pietersen has been a fantastic experience. He guides us on what to do and what to avoid. He praises us for overcoming challenges in batting, and when we struggle, he offers tremendous support. He reassures us that we still have the opportunity to bounce back. Overall, the experience with this management has been very positive,” Porel concluded.

Porel emphasized that DC is determined to prepare thoroughly to take on MI in a crucial knockout match on Wednesday. “All teams are on equal footing. It's not that they are superior to us. They are coming to play cricket, just as we are. I believe that during the game, understanding where to score and capitalize is essential.”

“In that momentum, until the match ends, it doesn’t matter which team has the upper hand. For us, each match is treated individually, focusing on how we can improve our game and progress further,” he added.