DC vs CSK preview: 2 more points will open up points table for Delhi, Chennai; check head-to-head, pitch report, more

Delhi Capitals will host Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday, 5 May, at 7:30 PM IST in Match 48 of IPL 2026.

This is a mid-table clash between Number 6 and Number 7. Both Chennai and Delhi have 8 points each from their individual 9 matches. The Super Kings, with a positive Net run Rate of +0.005, are ranked higher than Delhi (-0.895).

Recent results have been more balanced. CSK won by 23 runs earlier this season at Chepauk. DC won by 25 runs in Chennai in April 2025. DC also won by 20 runs in Visakhapatnam in March 2024. Before that, CSK dominated in 2023, winning both encounters by 27 and 77 runs.

At the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, CSK hold a strong 6-2 record. That makes DC's home ground no safe haven against Chennai.

Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Abishek Porel (Impact Player)

Ramakrishna Ghosh is ruled out for the entire tournament with a foot fracture. Khaleel Ahmed has a Grade 2 quadriceps tear and is out for the season. Ayush Mhatre is also out with a hamstring injury.

Nathan Ellis was replaced earlier by Spencer Johnson, who is managing a back injury. Dewald Brevis has recovered from a side strain and is available.

For the Delhi Capitals, Lungi Ngidi has been confirmed fully fit by coach Ricky Ponting. He returns after a concussion suffered on April 25.

Mitchell Starc continues to lead the pace attack. Sahil Parakh remains doubtful with a facial injury. Ben Duckett is unavailable for personal reasons.

Mitchell Starc has taken 3 wickets in just 2 matches since returning. Axar Patel has taken 9 career wickets against CSK while maintaining a tight line and length.

Sanju Samson has been CSK's most explosive batter in Dhoni's absence. He has scored 315 runs, including an unbeaten 115 against DC earlier this season.

Anshul Kamboj is the joint-leading wicket-taker in IPL 2026 with 17 scalps, keeping the Purple Cap with him for some time now. He is particularly dangerous in the death overs.

Jamie Overton has contributed 136 runs and 10 wickets this season. He took 4 for 18 against DC in their previous meeting.

Short square boundaries of around 65 metres make it a batter's paradise. A par score here is considered 210 to 220.

Spinners may find some grip during the middle overs of the first innings. However, the pitch flattens completely under lights. Fast bowlers like Mitchell Starc and Anshul Kamboj could extract early swing due to post-storm moisture.

Heavy dew is expected from around the 12th over of the second innings. This will make the ball slippery and difficult for spinners to grip. Chasing teams have won five of six matches here in IPL 2026. Both captains are likely to bowl first after winning the toss.

The weather will be clear throughout with temperatures between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius.

The points table is getting tighter with every match. Under that scenario, a win here for either team will open up the table further. The winner will have 12 points, just like the top teams: RCB (2nd), SRH (3rd), RR (4th) and GT (5th).