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IPL 2021 | KKR vs DC: Refreshed Knight Riders search turnaround, in-form Delhi seek consolidation

Mayank Kumar

The second phase of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League is up and running and so are the contenders for the top four spots on the points table. 

The Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings have maintained their form and momentum from the first phase while others such as the Kolkata Knight Riders have used the break well to fine-tune their tactics in the run for the playoffs stage.

The Kolkata Knight Riders have finally started playing the brand of cricket their skipper, Eoin Morgan and coach Brendan McCullum are known for, and no wonder the aggressive approach has brought them back in the reckoning for a spot in the final four.

They have started to look like a fearless batting group with the likes of Shubman Gill taking the game to the opposition while the emergence of young Venkatesh Iyer has provided a lease of life to the Knight Riders top order.

Their bowling attack perfectly mixed up of experienced campaigners and new blokes on the bloc are not leaving any stone unturned to stop the opposition batsmen.

On the other hand, the Capitals have been an indomitable force like all the past few seasons. They have bettered the opposition side in all aspects of the game with significant ease. If the batsmen have clicked, they have made a light work of the opposition bowling attack while the ever so reliant bowling attack led by the express duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje leaves nothing to chance. Wiliness of Ravichandran Ashwin and the immaculate control of Axar Patel gives them immense depth in the bowling attack.

The Knight Riders were resurgent at the second phase of the tournament but they have been unlucky in terms of schedule by having two consecutive games against the most functional teams of the competitions. They fought hard against the all-around brilliant Super Kings side and came second only on the final ball which should give them and their fans a lot of confidence going into the next match against another behemoth of the tournament in Delhi Capitals.

They have a lot of worries to sort as well with two of their biggest match-winners with the bat under some doubt. Andre Russell injured his hamstring against the Super Kings and might miss the big game while the Knight Riders will also be concerned about the harrowing run of form of their captain Morgan.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals: Match Details

Match no.: 41

Date and time: September 28, 15:30 IST (10:00 GMT), 14:00 LOCAL

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Pitch and weather

The scene of batsmen clearing their front foot and hitting the bowlers outside off the ground that was so prevalent last season, has become part of a distant memory in the few matches of this time around. Instead, the batsmen have struggled to get off the square at Sharjah and the trend is likely to continue in the upcoming game as well.

In all the matches that have been played so far in the season, teams have tried their best to maximised the fielding restriction and hard, new ball which has also opened up wicket-taking opportunities for bowlers. 

The Capitals have a well-rounded bowling attack with the likes of Avesh Khan exploiting the new ball and the Rabada-Nortje duo exploiting the eagerness of batsmen to hit big shots against the new ball. The pitches have gripped and Rishabh Pant would bank on his spinners, especially, Ashwin to spin a web around the Knight Riders batsmen.

Team News

Kolkata Knight Riders

The injury to Russell will come as a huge setback for the Knight Riders but it can also open a door of opportunity for Shakib Al Hassan and the Bangladesh all-rounder could not ask for any better conditions than the one at Sharjah to leave a lasting impression on the KKR management.

The men in purple and gold would also be worried over the lack of form and batting rhythm of Eoin Morgan, who has not managed too many runs in this edition.

Prasidh Krishna was very poor both in execution and in his approach and Morgan could think of bringing either Sandeep Warrier or Shivam Mavi back in the playing XI.

Probable XI

Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan (C), Shakib Al Hasan, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sandeep Warrier

Delhi Capitals

Of the two teams, the Capitals have a lot less to worry about going into the game against the Knight Riders, but the lack of firepower in the lower middle order will be a cause of concern.

They missed the flamboyance of Marcus Stoinis in the last game against the Rajasthan Royals and the issue was compounded with even Rishabh Pant finding it tough to time the ball.

Shimron Hetmyer batted at number six position and the Capitals were on course for a big total till he was at the crease and after his departure, Lalit Yadav failed to provide perfect tempo to the batting. They need Axar Patel, the batsman to stand up in the absence of Stoinis to lif the team’s total and chances of winning in the last few overs.

Avesh Khan has been good with both new and old ball in the tournament but the Capitals could consider bringing Amit Mishra as a horse for course with an eye on the pitch at Sharjah.

Probable XI

Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan

KKR vs DC: Fantasy XI

Rishabh Pant, Venkatesh Iyer, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, Sunil Narine, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna

Captain: Kagiso Rabada

Vice-captain: Varun Chakravarthy

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