Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, WIDE. Gets a bit too straight, does Siraj and hurls this down the leg side. KL Rahul misses his flick. The Capitals are on the board.
Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, Full and straight, closer to the middle stump this time, KL defends it watchfully.
Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, Slightly fuller, outside off, Rahul looks to drive it through mid off but the bat comes a bit quicker than the ball and as a result, the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid off.
Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, Straightaway on the dot. Siraj lands this on a length, just outside off, angling it in, KL Rahul defends it watchfully down the track.
The national anthem has been completed and we are now ready to begin the match proceedings. The bell is rung at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and out walk the two umpires. The Gujarat Titans team gets itself in a huddle. Now, the crowd roars to see a new opening combination - Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul - stride out. This is the 7th opening combination this season and the Capitals will hope that it is lucky number 7 for them. Mohammed Siraj has the new ball in his hand and will be hoping to find some swing and use that scrambled seam. Rahul to face. A slip in place. Here we go...
Time for the Indian national anthem then.
Meanwhile, in Jaipur, PUNJAB KINGS HAVE DEFEATED RAJASTHAN ROYALS BY 10 RUNS. It was a close game where the Royals fought tooth and nail in attempting to chase down 220, but eventually, it was too much for their middle order. With this win, Punjab move to second spot, earning 17 points, being separated from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to an inferior net run rate.
The skipper of Delhi Capitals, AXAR PATEL, admits that he also wanted to bowl first, stating that dew plays a part in the second innings at this venue. But is quick to add that the toss is not in their hands, so Delhi will now look to bat well and post a good total. On the mindset regarding the playoffs scenario, Axar says that the talks have been to take one game at a time and not think too much about qualification. Stresses that despite being inconsistent, the Capitals are in a good position to qualify for the playoffs. So just wants his side to focus on the processes and not think about qualification. On his opinion about the loss of players from the squad, Patel says that he respects the personal decisions of the players and adds that even to those who have come, he has said that he wants players who are mentally fresh and are not worried about what is happening in the outside world. On the team mindset, AP stresses once again that it is all about winning one game as he feels that will bring momentum and DC can get back to winning ways. On the team combination, Axar Patel informs that DC are going in with 3 fast bowlers and 3 spinners. On the changes, he informs that Madhav Tiwari comes in for Vipraj Nigam while Mustafizur Rahman replaces Mitchell Starc.
The skipper of Gujarat Titans, SHUBMAN GILL, says that it is definitely not easy to start all over again after an unscheduled break but also feels that it was a period of good rest for some of the fast bowlers. Adds that KAGISO RABADA comes back into the side, citing a massive sense of relief. On their strong position in the tournament, Gill agrees that it has been a really good tournament so far but nonetheless, stresses that they have got 3 games and are looking to win each of them. On the thought process of being forced to start afresh, Shubman says that it is the thing with every match, wherein one needs to start afresh. Hopes that this break helps the Titans to improve their fielding which hasn't been good this season. On his opinion of losing out on certain players due to this break. SG says that everyone has been professional and hopes that anyone who comes back into the team performs for the side. On the wicket, Shubman Gill assesses it as a good one, adding that whenever games are played in Delhi, we see high-scoring games. So is expecting another one tonight. On the team changes, Gill informs that Kagiso Rabada comes in for Gerald Coetzee.
Impact nominations by GT - Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Mahipal Lomror, Anuj Rawat and Dasun Shanaka.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Sherfane Rutherford (OVERSEAS) (IN FOR SAI SUDHARSAN), Jos Buttler (WK) (OVERSEAS), Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan (OVERSEAS), Kagiso Rabada (IN FOR GERALD COETZEE) (OVERSEAS), Arshad Khan, Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Impact options for DC - Dushmantha Chameera, Sediqullah Atal, Karun Nair, Tripurana Vijay and Madhav Tiwari.
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - Faf du Plessis (OVERSEAS), Abishek Porel (WK), Sameer Rizvi (IN FOR KARUN NAIR), KL Rahul, Axar Patel (C), Tristan Stubbs (OVERSEAS), Ashutosh Sharma (IN FOR DUSHMANTHA CHAMEERA), Vipraj Nigam, T Natarajan, Kuldeep Yadav and Mustafizur Rahman (IN FOR MITCHELL STARC).
TOSS - Time for the flip of the coin. Axar Patel flips the coin, TAILS is the call from Shubman Gill and it is a Tail. GUJARAT TITANS CHOOSE TO BOWL FIRST.