IPL 2026 | Match 48: DC vs CSK | Preview and Predictions

The Delhi Capitals (DC) will look to gain further ground in what is turning out to be a hotly contested battle for the play-off spots as they take on a slightly wobbly and tetchy-looking Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side in Match 48 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the game.

Indian Premier League 2026 | Match 48: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings | 19:30, 5 May 2026 

The Capitals have bounced back in grand style against the Rajasthan Royals after two straight demoralising defeats. After failing to defend 264 and being skittled out for just 75, they stormed back in emphatic fashion to chase down 226 and return right back into the reckoning for a play-off spot. KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka set the tone for the chase last time out, while the rest of the DC batters chipped in with nifty little contributions as they claimed vital two points.

However, none of these batters have shown as close a revival of their fortunes as Nitish Rana. He looks like a batter revitalised, and his last few innings have taken his batting prowess to the next level. He looks like a man transformed and complements Rahul’s class with his belligerent aggression.

DC’s bowling has also been massively bolstered by the arrival of Mitchell Starc and the impending return of Lungi Ngidi after clearing the concussion protocols following that sickening head injury he suffered against the Punjab Kings. DC will be banking on both of their overseas imports to provide the early-overs wickets that will put them in a nice spot in games to make a difference.

The Chennai Super Kings, meanwhile, also come into this game on the back of a convincing win over the Mumbai Indians, but if we dig a little deeper, it’s clear that the men in yellow have a little bit of a Sanju Samson-shaped problem.

Whenever Samson has performed, CSK have gone on to register a comfortable victory in those games (three wins), while they have won only once in six games when he is dismissed for a low score. That is a hint for the rest of the batters to pick up the slack and alleviate the burden of scoring the runs from their marquee acquisition.

CSK’s bowling unit has also been picking up the pace with its wicket-taking ability and efficiency in the middle phase of the innings, but an injury to impressive debutant Ramakrishna Ghosh has ruled him out for the remainder of the season, with no replacement named as of yet.

The last time these two sides met at Chepauk, the Super Kings registered their first win of the season courtesy of Samson’s brilliant maiden IPL ton in CSK yellow as they beat the Delhi Capitals by 23 runs to open their account for the season.

The Delhi Capitals will definitely begin this game as favourites for the win. In the face of a raucous Delhi crowd, two returning premier overseas bowlers, and a batting order that has been as classy as it has been formidable, this might be a challenge too far for the record IPL champions.

Fantasy XI: Sanju Samson (wk), KL Rahul (c), Nitish Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Axar Patel, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc, Lungi Ngidi, Noor Ahmad

Venue: Arun Jaitley International Stadium, New Delhi
Winners Prediction: Delhi Capitals