The Feroz Shah Kotla wicket has been a low and slow wicket providing a lot of assistance to the spinners. However, the batsmen can also make merry provided they apply themselves and play in an intelligent manner as proved by Daredevils’ massive score of 188 in their last match. It is expected that the spinners would play a major role in today’s match and thus, both DD and KKR would definitely look to back their spinners to pick up crucial wickets. Here is the Match Preview and Predictions for DD vs KKR !
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS – STRENGTHS
The KKR have been an impressive side with interesting tactics and intelligent captaincy. In the batting department, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey hold the key and they have definitely shown a lot of promise in the first few matches with each of them having scored at least one fifty in this IPL. Gambhir is 2nd in the race to the Orange Both, Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders, are on an unbeaten streak of 2 matches. They would not like to lose their momentum at this stage of the IPL as it is a crucial phase in the tournament. The Daredevils have won the hearts of their fans with some spectacular performances over the last week. The Knight Riders, on the other hand, have dealt with Chris Lynn’s absence in a professional manner and not let it distract them from their goal.
PITCH
Cap with 182 runs to his name. The spinners are expected to come to the party and hence, Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav may hold the key. It is expected that Shakib al Hasan would replace Colin de Grandhomme in the lineup to provide another efficient spin bowling option.
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS – CONCERNS
The Shah Rukh Khan owned franchise need to get a few things right if they want to continue to dominate the IPL. Sunil Narine looks unpredictable while opening the batting and the move may backfire in some matches when he would eat up far too many balls. They need to decide on their opening combination. Another major area of concern would be the finishers in the team failing to make much impact. Yusuf Pathan has been patchy and Surya Yadav has looked out of sorts. However, their primary concern would be the economy rate of their pacers with the trio of Trent Boult, Chris Woakes and Umesh Yadav going for 109 runs in 11 overs. They need to fix their pace bowling woes quickly else it may come back to haunt them later. The fielding has improved but needs to get better for KKR.
DELHI DAREDEVILS – STRENGTHS
The Delhi Daredevils’ biggest strength is the presence of Rahul Dravid as their coach and Zaheer Khan as their captain. The Daredevils have played brilliant cricket. The batting looks sorted with Sam Billings, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer giving them good starts and Corey Anderson and Chris Morris finishing off in style. The bowling also looks good with spinners like Shadab Jakati and Amit Mishra picking up a number of wickets. They have also been very economical. The veteran Zaheer Khan has been brilliant with the ball and has been leading Morris and Patrick Cummins in the pace bowling department in an able manner.
DELHI DAREDEVILS – CONCERNS
Although the team looks sorted in all departments, the lack of experience, especially in the top order, is a matter of concern as under the immense pressure of an IPL game, the inexperience can prove to be fatal. Also, the spin threat posed by the KKR spinners can be really tough to deal with on a track like Kotla. DD cannot afford to let KKR get off to a good start in this match.
PREDICTED XI
KKR – Sunil Narine, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan, Shakib al Hasan, Surya Kumar Yadav, Chris Woakes, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Trent Boult.
DD – Sam Billings, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, Rishabh Pant, Corey Anderson, Chris Morris, Patrick Cummins, Amit Mishra, Shadab Jakati, Zaheer Khan.
HEAD TO HEAD
Overall : Played – 18, KKR won – 10, DD won – 7, NR – 1
At Feroz Shah Kotla : Played – 7, KKR won – 4, DD won – 2, NR – 1
CONCLUSION AND MATCH PREDICTION
KKR and DD would be gunning for their third consecutive win tomorrow as they lock horns in a 4pm match. The heat would play a part in tiring out the fielding side. Dew isn’t expected to play much of a part. KKR and DD both love chasing scores but they both have shown in their previous matches against SRH and KXIP respectively that they can also defend a score successfully. It is going to be another exciting match at the VIVO IPL 2017. Here’s what we predict.
Scenario 1
TOSS – KKR wins and opts to field.
1ST INNINGS SCORE – 170-180
MATCH – KKR win by 7 wickets with 7 balls to spare.
Scenario 2
TOSS – DD wins and opts to field.
1ST INNINGS SCORE – 175-185
MATCH –DD win by 4 wickets with 1 ball to spare.
