Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri reckons Delhi Capitals will have the upper hand against Chennai Super Kings as they will play at their home venue on Tuesday and believes DC have a slightly better team. 

Shastri also highlighted that Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy has improved after he has regained his form in the ongoing season. The CSK skipper has scored two fifties in the last two games, including a match-winning knock of 67 runs off 48 balls in the previous match against Mumbai Indians.

“It will be a mighty contest because the Chennai Super Kings have got a little momentum. Having said that, the Delhi Capitals have been slightly unlucky this season. They have lost many close matches, with little, little mistakes, or else they would have had four more points. Mitchell Starc has returned. So their bowling has gotten strengthened a little,” Ravi Shastri said on JioHotstar.

“Ruturaj Gaikwad coming in form makes a huge difference because there is a difference in his captaincy as well. Sanju Samson is in tremendous form. If the top three of any side fires, it means you are in the contest. I would give Delhi the slight upper hand because it’s a home game and because of the team they have. These are extremely important two points,” he added.

On the other hand, former CSK off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said the franchise would look to maintain the winning impetus but it won’t be easy.

“As Ravi bhai said, these might be the two most crucial points because whichever team loses, their chances of qualifying would become minimal. You have to win every match now. Chennai would want to maintain the momentum, but it won’t be easy,” he said.

“Delhi will be a stronger team in Delhi. I feel Delhi have much better bowling options. Chennai have won, but they have won with great difficulty. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Kartik Sharma batted well. However, their batting or bowling hasn’t flourished fully as a team,” Harbhajan observed.

Both DC and CSK have managed four wins in nine games in IPL 2026.