Pune Devils vs Deccan Gladiators, Abu Dhabi T10 League 2021, Today Match Prediction 28 Jan 2021

pd vs dgs Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the second game of the T10 League 2021 and debutant Pune Devils would be up against last year’s finalists Deccan Gladiators. The Devils are coming to the contest with a young side that has lot of promises and they would be looking to start off well in this game. The Gladiators would like to put their disappointment in last edition’s final behind and start on a winning note. 

The big challenge for Pune Devils would be their lack of experience in the batting department. Though they have upcoming talent in the squad few would have the experience of playing in this format. As for the Gladiators they are an experienced squad with most players having played in the earlier editions. But the fortunes can change fast in this format and hence we should have a good contest on our hands.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pune Devils Preview

It will be the debut season for Thisara Perera’s side in this tournament and skipper would look to make most out of it. He is a veteran in this league and knows what it takes for the sides to win here. Perera would be confident in the resources at his disposal and want his side to play freely and pose a challenge for the Gladiators. 

Hardus Viljoen and Devon Thomas would like to have a go at the bowling right from the start of the game. Both these players are good hitters. In the middle order they have good experience with Perera and Sam Billings in the squad. Munis Ansari, Karan KC and Chamara Kapugedera will need to make good contributions down the order. 

Mohammad Amir would be expected to bring his experience to play and strike early in this game along with Karan KC. Ajantha Mendis and Kapugedera are veterans of many battles and they shall look to tie the opponents down to singles and twos in the middle overs. With Nasir Hossain and Viljoen in the set up they have variety in this attack. 

Pune Devils Predicted Playing XI:

Thisara Perera (c), Mohammad Amir, Hardus Viljoen, Sam Billings (wk), Chamara Kapugedera, Ajantha Mendis, Devon Thomas, Munis Ansari, Asif Khan, Nasir Hossain, Karan KC

Pune Devils Actual Playing XI:

Sam Wisniewski, Asif Khan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Kennar Lewis, Hardus Viljoen, Chadwick Walton, Mohammad Amir, Darwish Rasooli, Munis Ansari, Karan KC, Nasir Hossain

Deccan Gladiators Preview

Kieron Pollard’s side was unlucky to have finished runner up in the last season and the skipper would be looking for a turnaround this year. He is leading one of the strongest teams this season and Pollard would want to start off with a big win. This is the first game for the side and the skipper would be expecting a professional show from his players.

They have a strong opening combination in Mohammad Shahzad and Sunil Narine and both these players have their range of strokes. In the middle order the likes of Colin Ingram, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Prashant Gupta can hit the ball hard. With Pollard and Azam Khan towards the end the side packs punch in the batting department. 

Wanindu Hasaranga and Zahoor Khan shall have to pock early wickets as the Devils have good strength at the top. The presence of Narine and Imran Tahir in the attack is a huge boost for the side considering the kind of experience they bring to field of play. Pollard adds experience to this attack making it strong.

Deccan Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Kieron Pollard (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Sunil Narine, Collin Ingram, Imran Tahir, Zahoor Khan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Prashant Gupta, Hefeez ur Rehman, Azam Khan

Deccan Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

Kieron Pollard, Imran Tahir, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Azam Khan, Zahoor Khan, Aaron Summers, M Shahzad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Prashant Gupta, Cameron Delport

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There would be slight clouds on January 28 over Abu Dhabi but this isn’t expected to have much bearing on the game. The track has been slightly slower in the recent games and hence the batsmen would have to be watchful on this surface. The side that bats first in this game shall look to get 120 runs.

Venue Details

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi is a large ground but the fast outfield aids the batsmen who play their strokes. It is a tough venue for the fast bowlers with nothing on the surface for them. Spinners have enjoyed good success at this venue as the ball turns sharply here. 

Toss: To Bat

The mantra in this format has been to win the toss and bat first. Putting up a huge score on the board immediately puts pressure on the opponents. Both the captains would consider this at the toss and the one winning it should have no hesitation in batting first in this game.