Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey
IPL 2021 Match 50: CSK vs DC Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | DC vs CSK Dream11 Prediction Today | Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
As opposed to other contests in IPL 2021 that have a direct impact on playoffs qualification, this one has a bit of a different feel. Both Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have already qualified as both teams have enjoyed excellent seasons respectively.
However, this doesn’t mean the 50th match of IPL 2021 isn’t an important one. Victory here will confirm a top two finish, and as history shows in IPL, winning the first qualifier often means winning the whole competition.
Also, this is a great chance for both teams to build momentum and confidence ahead of the playoffs. This could potentially be the first of three matches between the teams between now and the end of IPL 2021, so it will be interesting to see the tactics and approach. CSK have transformed their fortunes in 2021, but will be seeking a bounce back after a high-scoring loss to the Royals, while Delhi are coming off a hard-fought victory against the struggling Mumbai Indians.
Bring it on. This should be a good one.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Delhi Capitals:
- Shikhar Dhawan is on a bit of a lean run in the UAE leg (8, 24, 8 in his last three knocks). Today, he meets a team he loves playing against, with 387 runs in eight innings for DC vs CSK at an average of 64.50 and strike rate of 140.22. This includes a 54-ball 82 earlier in IPL 2021.
- Shikhar has a century vs CSK and a century at Dubai. Overall at this ground, Dhawan has struck 326 runs in 12 matches at an average of 29.64 and strike rate of 139.32.
- Prithvi Shaw is also in need of some runs (11, 10 and 6 in the UAE leg so far). He was absoutely outstanding against CSK earlier this season, smashing a 38-ball 72. He and Shikhar Dhawan put on 138 in 13.3 overs for the opening partnership.
- Shreyas Iyer has been brilliant in the UAE leg of IPL 2021. The right-hander has made scores of 47*, 43, 1 and 33*. Against CSK, he has scored 233 runs at an average 29.13 and strike rate of 113.11.
- Iyer has a solid record at Dubai. In 10 innings on this ground, he has scored 299 runs at an average of 37.78 and strike rate of 114.12.
- Rishabh Pant has an outstanding record vs CSK. In seven innings, the DC skipper has smashed 237 runs at an average of 47.40 and strike rate of 159.06. Also, Pant has been in solid form in the UAE leg, with scores of 35*, 24, 39 and 26. He was particularly aggressive against MI, so it will be interesting to see his approach today.
- At Dubai, Pant has scored 270 runs in nine innings at an average of 38.57 and strike rate of 119.47.
- Avesh Khan is having some season. He has taken the second-most wickets in 2021: 21 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 15 and brilliant economy rate of just seven runs per over.
- Avesh has taken six wickets in the powerplay, eight wickets in the middle-overs and seven at the death. More impressive is the fact he has an economy-rate of 5.56, 6.50 and 8.68 respectively in all three phases.
- Kagiso Rabada has taken five wickets in three matches vs CSK (avg. 17.00), as well as five wickets in four matches in the UAE leg. Also, Rabada enjoys bowling at Dubai, with 16 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 20.31 and strike rate of 14.25.
Chennai Super Kings:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to amaze. After a slow start to IPL 2021, Gaikwad has been unstoppable, with his latest innings a brilliant 101* vs RR.
- Gaikwad has the second-most runs in IPL 2021, with 508 runs in 12 innings at an average of 50.80 and strike rate of 140.33. Also, Gaikwad has a terrific record at Dubai, with 230 runs in four matches at an average of 115 and strike rate of 133.72. This includes three half-centuries.
- A 30+ score coming for Faf du Plessis? The right-hander has made starts galore in the UAE leg, with 31, 43, 41 and 25 in his last four knocks. Also, du Plessis averages similar for CSK vs DC, with 323 runs in 10 innings at an average of 32.30 and strike rate of 117.88.
- Moeen Ali will be key against DC’s excellent middle overs bowling. He scored a 24-ball 36 against them last season, part of 299 runs this season at an average of 27.18 and strike rate of 139.71.
- Ravindra Jadeja has been absolutely brilliant with the bat since the start of IPL 2020, striking 443 runs in this period at an average of 54.13 and strike rate of 162.87. Also, Jadeja has a solid all-round record for CSK against DC, with 187 runs (avg. 31.17, SR 148.41) and 12 wickets in 14 innings (avg. 25.67).
- Jadeja at Dubai with the bat: 10 inns, 187 runs, avg. 46.75, SR 136.50. With the ball: 7 wickets, avg. 31.14, SR 23.14.
- Dwayne Bravo is important to CSK as the men-in-yellow have missed his presence. He has figures of 3/25, 3/24 and 2/17 in phase two of IPL 2021, and has 15 wickets in 14 innings vs DC at an average of 23.40.
Stats and Facts
- Head-to-head: Matches 24, CSK 15, DC 9.
- DC (190/3) beat CSK (188/7) by seven wickets in the second match of IPL 2021.
- Suresh Raina hit a 36-ball 54 vs DC earlier this season. No player has more runs in CSK-DC matches than Raina, with 552 in 22 matches at an average of 29.05 and strike rate of 132.06.
- Steve Smith averages 35.22 in 12 matches vs CSK (317 runs). However, Smith has a poor record at Dubai, with 108 runs in seven matches at an average of 15.43.
- Deepak Chahar has a dominant record vs Prithvi Shaw in IPL: 50 balls, 55 runs, five dismissals.
Possible Playing 11
Delhi Capitals: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk), 5. Shreyas Iyer, 6. Shimron Hetmyer, 7. Axar Patel, 8. R Ashwin, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Avesh Khan
Chennai Super Kings: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2. Faf du Plessis, 3. Moeen Ali, 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. Suresh Raina, 6. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Shardul Thakur, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Josh Hazlewood/Sam Curran
Dubai Pitch Report and Weather
It was a tough, low-scoring match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday. Overall at Dubai this season, the average first innings score is 154.13, and the chasing team has won the last four matches (and five of the last six matches).
The forecast is for more warm and clear weather.
Dream11 Prediction
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction
Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.
Base team:
- Wicket-keeper: Rishabh Pant
- Batsmen: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer
- All-rounders: Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja
- Bowlers: Avesh Khan, Deepak Chahar
Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?
Match Prediction
This has the potential to be a cracking match. CSK’s finishing capabilities give them the edge, but the team who wins the powerplay period may well go on to win this match.