The Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to kick off from today with the match between two of the most successful teams in the tournament, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
After today’s game, we will have a double-header tomorrow (April 8th). While the afternoon match will be played between the Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab, the evening match will be contested between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
For the 2nd match of the tournament between Delhi Daredevils and the Kings XI Punjab, we might be in for a classic contest. Both teams have failed to win the tournament even once and will be eager to change their fortunes this time around.
Both teams have several new faces in the franchise and will look to get their tournament off to a flying start.
Team Combinations
Delhi Daredevils
Like most years, Daredevils have a pretty strong team even this time around. However what matters the most is gelling as a unit and the newly appointed skipper Gautam Gambhir will look to turn the fortunes of his hometown side.
Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant were the players who got retained ahead of the tournament and will be a part of the playing XI unless any injuries. The openers slot might well be taken by skipper Gambhir and Jason Roy.
Colin Munro, the only batsman to score three centuries in T20I cricket, is also part of the team and it will be difficult to leave him out of the Playing XI. Youngster Prithvi Shaw who showed prominence in the U 19 World Cup might be the reserve opener or if Delhi decides to add an extra foreign bowler in their ranks.
Meanwhile, the only Nepalese player to be part of the IPL, Sandeep Lamichhane will be hoping to make his IPL debut.
Predicted XI: Jason Roy, Colin Munro, Gautam Gambhir, Glenn Maxwell, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Vijay Shankar, Chris Morris, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan
Kings XI Punjab
Punjab had handed over the captaincy reigns to Ravichandran Ashwin who will be playing his first season for the Punjab franchise.
The return of Yuvraj Singh in the middle order would add impetus to the squad. However the bowling department looks a bit off colour, but with Andrew Tye in the ranks, Punjab will be hopeful of producing a good performance.
Aaron Finch won’t be part of the first couple of matches, so in all likelihood, Chris Gayle will open proceedings with either of Karun Nair, Lokesh Rahul or Mayank Agarwal. The latter has been bought for a whopping sum and will play a big role if Delhi hopes of lifting their 1st ever title.
Predicted XI: Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Lokesh Rahul, Yuvraj Singh, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Andrew Tye, Akshdeep Nath
Match Predictions
It is very hard to predict the outcome of the game, but the gut feeling says Delhi Daredevils will open their campaign with a resounding victory. They have a pretty balanced side and are the fancier side as per my opinion.
Here’s the Newsfeed:
IPL 2018: Faf Du Plessis Ruled Out of Opening Tie Against Mumbai Indians
IPL 2018: Liam Plunkett Announced as Replacement for Kagiso Rabada