The stage is all set for the second qualifier of this year’s IPL. To be hosted by the ACA-VDCA stadium in Vizag on Friday, the much-anticipated clash will see Delhi Capitals lock horns with Chennai Super Kings for a place in the final, against Mumbai Indians. With just a few more hours left to the high-octane clash, the fans are in a state of frenzy and here are 4 reasons why Vizag is in for an epic clash between CSK and DC this evening.
#1 MS Dhoni
One of India’s biggest superstars will be taking the field for CSK in Visakhapatnam. MS Dhoni will be leading the men in yellow in the clash against Delhi Capitals in the city and the fans are all pumped up to see their favourite ‘Thala’ in action. It may also be fondly recollected that it was in Visakhapatnam that MS Dhoni had announced his arrival with a blistering 148 against Pakistan in 2005.
#2 Rishabh Pant
One of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket right now, Rishabh Pant is fast turning into a force to reckon with. Equipped with an incredible ability to tear into any opposition on a given day, the young talent has been a crucial component of Delhi’s campaign this year. In the latest, the southpaw battered the SRH bowlers to help his team clinch a thriller in the Eliminator on Wednesday. The DC fans will once again be hoping that Pant wields his willow against CSK in Vizag on Friday night.
#3 Clash of two top teams
With 9 wins in 14 games in the league phase, both Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have been two of the most consistent teams in the IPL this year. Come Friday night and the two well-balanced sides will go at each other and try to leave no stone unturned in their effort to make it to the final. Adding to the excitement is the horde of stars who would be on display in Visakhapatnam. While the likes of Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, and Faf du Plessis are among the superstars who would be taking the field for CSK, DC will be riding hopes on Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, and Prithvi Shaw among others.
#4 The Playoff extravaganza
The winner of the Qualifier 2 will advance to Hyderabad to face Mumbai in the finale while the loser will be knocked out of the tournament. And given the prize at stake, expect sparks to fly when CSK and DC collide with each other in Visakhapatnam. While CSK will enter the fray after being thumped by Mumbai Indians in their previous encounter, DC will be looking to continue their winning momentum after beating SRH in the Eliminator a few days ago.
