Why is Ishant Sharma not playing today's DC vs MI IPL 2024 match?

Another massive encounter kicks off the double-header on Super Saturday as Delhi Capitals (DC) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on April 27.

DC have turned the tables after a slow start, winning three of their last four outings. Their latest game saw them pull off a thrilling four-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT).

With only five matches remaining, DC are currently sixth on the points table with four wins and five losses.

However, the side will have to do without veteran pacer Ishant Sharma again in this all-important contest against MI. The 35-year-old had missed DC's second game of the season against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) due to an ankle injury.

Yet, he returned immediately and played the next five matches before a back injury kept him out of action in DC's last two matches. On the eve of the MI clash, DC's Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly confirmed to the media that Ishant hadn't fully recovered and would miss the crucial encounter.

“David Warner is injured and not available for the next game. Ishant Sharma is also injured,” Ganguly said in the pre-match press conference.

Ishant Sharma has played six games thus far this season, picking up 6 wickets at an average of 27.66. Ishant was pivotal in DC's best win of the season against GT, finishing with figures of 2/8 to help bowl the opposition out for a paltry 89 in 17.3 overs.

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DC asked to bat first in a virtual must-win against MI

MI skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and asked DC to bat first on a sunny afternoon in Delhi.

The two teams met earlier in the season in Mumbai, with the home side coming out on top by 29 runs. With both teams on five losses, another defeat could be terminal to their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

Yet, DC captain Rishabh Pant was unfazed about losing the toss and said he was planning to bat first anyway.

"We were looking to bat first. I think it will get slower in the second innings. It has been amazing, we're getting the kind of wickets we want. As a team we have to play well and we have been. This is something we talked about - how to control the innings. Bowling with the new ball and bowling at the death is difficult, one over here or there is making all the difference," said Pant.

He also confirmed that they have made two changes in the lineup, with the newly recruited Kumar Kushagra coming in for Prithvi Shaw and Lizaad Williams replacing Anrich Nortje.