Delhi Daredevils won the toss and decided to bowl first as their skipper Zaheer Khan deemed that the wicket will get better to bat on later in the innings. Delhi side had one change as Kagiso Rabada, who has flown back, was replaced by all-rounder Karlos Braithwaite, who will make his first appearance in this year’s IPL.

On the other hand, there was no change in Gujarat Lions side as skipper Suresh Raina continued to play with three overseas players, not giving a chance to Chirag Suri, the fourth overseas player in the team, again.

This is the first game for Gujarat Lions at their second home i.e. Green park.

Both the teams are out of the race to the next round but will look to add a win in their account, so as to keep their place above other teams.

Here is what both the captains said at the time of the toss –

Suresh Raina: It is pretty hot in Kanpur. We will want to bowl in good areas and look to defend the total. We were also looking to bowl first but you cannot control the toss. Everybody has looked good. We have played some good cricket. We just need to enjoy next two games. Playing with just three overseas players has been a tough task but youngsters have done well. We have got the same team.

Zaheer Khan: We are going to bowl first. Looks a decent wicket, hopefully, will get better later on as the weather cools down. Hope we capitalise on batting first. Basically, it is a game of cricket to play and win. Just play good cricket, have your plan in action. Have a specific plan and keep working on it. You have to have the character of pride in your cricket and the way you carry yourself on the field. Rabada has gone back so Carlos Brathwaite comes in.

Here is the playing XI of both the sides –

Gujarat Lions (Playing XI): Dwayne Smith, Ishan Kishan, Suresh Raina(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Aaron Finch, Ravindra Jadeja, James Faulkner, Dhawal Kulkarni, Pradeep Sangwan, Basil Thampi, Ankit Soni.

Delhi Daredevils (Playing XI): Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Corey Anderson, Marlon Samuels, Carlos Brathwaite, Pat Cummins, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Zaheer Khan(c).