THE GAME:
The iconic Feroz Shah Kolta in Delhi will host the game between the Delhi Daredevils and the Kolkata Knight Riders on the 20th of April. If recent form is anything to go by, then both these teams look in great shape. The Knight Riders began steadily but lost to the Royal Challengers. Nevertheless, they bounced back in style and defeated the Kings XI with ease. Andre Russel was at his destructive best for the Knight Riders when they thrashed the Kings XI in Pune.
The Daredevils have played very well so far. They lost their first couple of games, but that doesn’t reflect the true story at all. They lost on the last ball in both the games. The side showed profuse character to display their professionalism and then won two successive games. First, they defeated the Kings XI while chasing a total. Then, they choked out the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The best part for the Daredevils was that they won both the games in their away segment of games. A win today for either side will mean a massive advantage, as they will be less burdened going into the second half of the tournament.
PREVIOUS CLASHES:
The Dubai International Stadium first hosted these sides in the previous edition of the IPL. Batting first, the men from the city of joy got to a respectable total of 166. Robin Uthappa was the main stay for the Kolkata Knight Riders as his knock of 55 propelled them to 166. The Daredevils lost a few early wickets but were put on track by JP Duminy and Dinesh Karthik, who hit fine half centuries. It was a close encounter in the end, as JP Duminy flicked a quicker one from Piyush Chawla to the square leg boundary for a six to seal the game for the Daredevils.
The second meeting between these sides at the Feroz Shah Kotla was contrasting to their first meeting. It was a one sided encounter which the visitors won with ease. Batting first, the hosts got to 160 as everyone in the batting department chipped in with minor contributions. The target of 161 was hauled by the Knight Riders, as they finally ended their losing streak and found their way momentum in the tournament. It was this win, which got KKR back on track and which commenced their honeymoon period in the IPL.
KEY PLAYERS:
JP DUMINY:
The Daredevils skipper put on display one of the finest all round performances in the IPL in his previous outing. With the willow in hand, Duminy notched up a half century and then picked up four crucial wickets to puncture the chase of the Sunrisers. Duminy has been in good form with the bat and his clean strikes have never been doubted. But it’s his bowling which is a great bonus for the side. In him, the Daredevils have found the ideal fifth bowler.
AMIT MISHRA:
For the Delhi side, it may have been Imran Tahir who has hogged the limelight. But his fellow leggie Amit Mishra hasn’t disappointed one bit. Mishra has been accurate in this IPL, but Tahir has overshadowed him. His variations completely deceive the batsmen and that is an added bonus for Mishra. The Haryana leg spinner would be eager to strike gold against the visitors and he has a perfect opportunity to do that.
GAUTAM GAMBHIR:
Gambhir enjoys batting at his home ground and there are no second thoughts about that! He has a test match double hundred at the Kotla and his IPL record has been brilliant as well. His local knowledge about the outfield and the pitch gives Gambhir the edge over other batsmen. Expect Gambhir to be fluent against the Daredevils.
SUNIL NARINE:
The period of re-emergence in cricket is never easy for a cricketer. It has been a similar case with Sunil Narine. The Trinidadian looked really nervous in the first two games he featured in. But, in the previous game against the Kings XI, Narine looked much better and his remodeled action finally worked. He struck once and was miserly. That spell may have boosted his self belief big time. The batsmen better watch out for this crafty spinner.
PROBABLE XI:
DELHI DAREDEVILS:
There will be a tossup between Joseph and Unadkat.
1. M. Agarwal 2. S. Iyer 3. JP Duminy 4. Y. Singh 5. M. Tiwary 6. A. Mathews 7. K. Jadhav 8. N. Coulter-Nile 9. A. Mishra 10. I. Tahir 11. D. Joseph/ J. Unadkat
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS:
The Knight Riders will keep their winning XI intact.
1. R. Uthappa 2. G. Gambhir 3. M. Pandey 4. S. Yadav 5. Y. Pathan 6. R. Ten Doeschate 7. A. Russel 8. S. Narine 9. P. Chawla 10. M. Morkel 11. U. Yadav