Two teams. One chasing a title, the other chasing survival. When Delhi Capitals host Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 18, it won’t just be another league-stage clash—it’ll be a collision of stakes, form, and futures.
Gujarat Titans, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with 8 wins in 11 games, are a win away from sealing their playoff berth. They’ve been composed, clinical, and consistent. With Jos Buttler leaving the tournament ahead of the playoffs, the Titans could use this match to test the waters with Kusal Mendis, who’s expected to slot into the top order. The batting has been anchored by Shubman Gill and Sudharsan, while the bowling unit continues to strangle oppositions with precision.
For Delhi Capitals, it’s a desperate last stand. A team that started the season with 4 wins in their first 5 now finds itself with just 4 wins from 12—hanging by a thread. The departures of Mitchell Starc and Faf du Plessis have left glaring holes, and the squad is scrambling to find a reliable XI. Axar Patel has been the lone bright spot, leading with calm and producing with both bat and ball, but he needs support—urgently.
This fixture also brings back painful memories for DC. In the reverse leg in Ahmedabad, they posted 203—a seemingly safe total—only to watch Buttler’s brutal 97 crush them with 4 balls to spare. The scars from that loss are still fresh.
Key player battles could decide the tempo early. Shubman Gill vs Axar Patel will be a fascinating watch—GT’s composed skipper against DC’s powerplay enforcer. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan vs Kuldeep Yadav promises a strategic duel in the middle overs. Kuldeep’s variations against Sudharsan’s fluency could tilt the game either way.
DC need to win—there’s no Plan B. For GT, it’s about tuning up, testing depth, and tightening grip on pole position.
One team plays to stay alive. The other plays to stay on top. Expect pressure, passion, and possibly the final twist in Delhi’s turbulent season.
