Tough test for new-look Delhi Capitals in season opener  

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• KL Rahul has odds of 2.65 to be Delhi Capitals' best batter  
• Rishab Pant has odds of 3.55 to be Lucknow Super Giants' best batter 
• Kuldeep Yadav has odds of 3.35 to be Delhi Capitals' best bowler 
• Avesh Khan has odds of 3.35 to be Lucknow Super Giants' best bowler 

MATCH PREVIEW     

In the 4th game of the Indian Premier League 2025, the Delhi Capitals will be up against the Lucknow Super Giants. It will be a big challenge for both teams after they failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Delhi Capitals had a poor start last season and never recovered. The side will share the same odds as their opponents and shall look to defy that and start the season with a win. The Lucknow Super Giants have a strong batting lineup and will look to bank on that. The two teams are well-matched, and we expect this game to go down the wire.  

Delhi Capitals Preview     

Axar Patel is the new skipper for the team, and he will look to get his side off to a good start in the tournament. They don't have an advantage on cricket betting apps despite winning both games against the Lucknow Super Giants. The squad has several changes this season, and the new players would like to get the side off to a good start.  

Jake Fraser-McGurk did well last year, and the team expects a strong show from him and KL Rahul at the top. Faf Du Plessis will look to anchor the innings in the middle order and add runs with Ashutosh Sharma and Karun Nair. Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel add firepower to this batting lineup.  

Mitchell Starc's entry adds strength to this bowling attack, and he will look to pick early wickets with T Natarajan. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will enjoy bowling on this track and must do well in the middle overs. The team expects a good show in the supporting role from Mukesh Kumar and Ashutosh Sharma.  

Expected Starting XI for Delhi Capitals     

Axar Patel (c), KL Rahul (wk), Faf Du Plessis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Karun Nair, Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Mitchell Starc, T Natarajan, Abhishek Porel (Impact Player)  

Lucknow Super Giants Preview     

The Lucknow Super Giants had an ordinary season in 2024. They failed to maintain consistency and didn't qualify for the playoffs. The team has made wholesale changes to the squad and has roped in Rishab Pant as the skipper. They have a strong batting lineup and shall start slightly ahead on cricket betting sites. They lost both games against the Capitals last season, and Pant would like to start with a win against his former team.  

Matthew Breetzke and Mitchell Marsh will open the batting for the team, and the pair will look to deliver a good start. The middle order is formidable for the team, and they need good performances from Nicholas Pooran, Rishab Pant, and Ayush Badoni in the middle order. David Miller is a good finisher, and he will look to add quick runs in the lower middle order with Arshin Kulkarni and Shahbaz Ahmed.  

Their bowling attack isn't the strongest this season, and they must execute their plans perfectly. Avesh Khan and Akashdeep Singh must use the new ball and pick early wickets. Ravi Bishnoi is the key bowler in the side and must do well in the middle overs with Mohsin Khan. Shahbaz Ahmed, Ayush Badoni, and Mitchell Marsh will look to deliver a strong show in the supporting role.  

Expected Starting XI for Lucknow Super Giants     

Rishab Pant (c & wk), Matthew Breetzke, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Akashdeep Singh, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Arshin Kulkarni (Impact Player)  

TOSS: To Bowl First      

In this format, most teams like to chase scores. At this venue, few teams have been able to defend a score successfully. The wicket gets better to bat in the second innings, where dew is also a factor. Hence, we expect the side winning the toss to bowl first.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect a warm and humid day evening in Visakhapatnam. The batting surface, where batsmen can play their strokes easily, has always been good. There isn't much on this track for the fast bowlers, but sinners do well. The side batting first must have 180 runs or above on the board.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The Lucknow Super Giants have struggled against the Delhi Capitals, apart from their good show last season. The team has a strong batting lineup, but the bowling attack doesn't look well-balanced in these conditions. The Delhi Capitals have a strong spin attack, which will be handy in these conditions. We expect a close contest, but the Delhi Capitals will start ahead in this game.  

Our prediction is for Delhi Capitals to win