IPL 2018: Match 22, Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab – Match Prediction
Nov 26, 2018 at 12:37 PM
When the hosts Delhi Daredevils (DD) meet high on confidence Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in the 22nd encounter of Vivo Indian Premier League’s (IPL) season 11 on Monday (April 23) evening, they will surely look to get back to winning ways after some below-par performances in their previous few encounters.
Daredevils have already lost four matches out of five outing and one more loss on the day will surely dent their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
Ahead of the tournament, Delhi was aware of the fact that they had a captain at the helm who eventually knew how to win.
It was under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir that Kolkata Knight Riders won two titles. However, he hasn’t been able to replicate the same form as a captain for the Daredevils. The squad is comprised of some exceptional match winners
Jason Roy turned out to be to be a match winner against the Mumbai Indians, but he has failed to carry on from where he left at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
The form of Gambhir itself has been a concern at the top of the order for Delhi. Glenn Maxwell has also failed to come to terms which haven’t allowed Delhi to keep up their good work.
Even in the previous clash against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), they were left dumfound following a blistering knock from the blade of AB de Villiers.
Despite a superb knock from southpaw Rishabh Pant, Delhi failed to put up a match-winning score. On the other hand, Kings XI Punjab has been in some terrific form. Ever since the debut of Chris Gayle for his new franchise, Punjab has looked a totally different unit altogether.
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The big man from Jamaica has already smashed a century a couple of half-centuries in the three matches he has played so far. His partner KL Rahul has been one step forward.
The right-handed batter already smashed the fastest half-century of the tournament against the same opposition early on in the tournament. His 50 came in a mere 14 deliveries eclipsing the previous record set by Sunil Narine.
The bowlers have gone for runs on certain occasions. However, they have lived up to the expectations when it mattered the most. That is the reason why Punjab is sitting pretty in the points table with 4 wins from 5 matches.
Team Combinations –
Delhi Daredevils:
Delhi will have a lot to think as the tournament progresses. They have already lost four matches so they will definitely look for some changes in an all-important encounter.
More than the batting department, the bowling department needs a change. Vijay Shankar has been pretty ordinary in the tournament so far. He could well make way for either Gurkeerat Singh Mann or Jayant Yadav.
Meanwhile, Harshal Patel who made debut for Daredevils in the previous encounter could make way for a more experienced Mohammad Shami.
The pacer has looked wayward in the tournament so far and will be looking forward to a good game for himself and the team.
Predicted XI: Jason Roy, Gautam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Morris, Gurkeerat Singh Mann/Jayant Yadav, Rahul Tewatia, Mohammed Shami, Shahbaz Nadeem, Trent Boult
Kings XI Punjab:
Axar Patel hasn’t yet recovered fully and is expected to miss an enticing clash. If that’s the case Punjab in all likelihood will look to carry on their winning momentum.
Predicted XI: Lokesh Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Aaron Finch, Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Andrew Tye, Barinder Sran, Ankit Rajpoot, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Match Prediction:
As per head-to-head record, Punjab has been heavy on Delhi with a 12-9 record. Punjab is having a sensational tournament so far. On the other side, Daredevils have been searching for a victory.
They are in a desperate need for a victory. Despite Punjab’s sensational form of late, I have a gut feeling that Delhi will return triumphant.
With a due consideration that Punjab team is favourites, yet I am backing Delhi Daredevils to win it at their home venue.
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