Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals will go head to head in the afternoon game in Abu Dhabi. The KKR skipper Eoin Morgan is yet to score a 50 in this IPL and will want to lead from the front in the rest of the games. Shreyas Iyer seems to be getting starts in the last few games but failed to make it big.
KKR displayed their worst performance in their previous game against RCB. Opting to bat first, the KKR top-order crumbled to some high class by the RCB bowlers, especially Mohammad Siraj(3/8). Only 4 batsmen managed to reach double figures, with their skipper top-scoring with 30 runs and the 9th wicket partnership between Kuldeep & Ferguson of 27 being their highest. With only 84 runs on the board, there was nothing much for the KKR bowlers to defend and lost comprehensively by 8 wickets.
DC may have lost their last game but still are sitting pretty at the top of the points table with 7 wins, and another win here will book their ticket to a playoff spot. Despite Shikhar Dhawan’s second consecutive 100 in as many games, DC managed to post just 164 runs on the board with no significant scoring rate from the other end. Kings XI posted a comfortable win by 5 wickets with one over to spare.
Key Players List
Batsman – Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Eoin Morgan, and Shubman Gill.
The duo of Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer are crucial to DC’s middle-order. While Dhawan was striking well enroute to another 100 at one other end, this duo played uncharacteristic knocks in the other which resulted in DC in not getting the sort of momentum they needed. So their contribution is very important for the Capitals. Shibhman Gill may be the highest run-getter for KKR but will be low on confidence with a string of low scores coupled with the pace at which he gets them. KKR too needs a captain’s knock from Eoin Morgan to inspire the whole team.
All Rounder- Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine, Axar Patel, and Marcus Stoinis.
Sunil Narine might make his much-awaited comeback from injury and if he returns, it could boost KKR’s chances in the coming games. With Andre Russell still may not be fit, Pat Cummins could continue to play despite his poor outing with the ball having taken only 3 wickets but has been decent with the bat. And KKR will hope the no.1 Test bowler comes back to his wicket-taking best. Axar Patel had a really great IPL so far taking wickets and playing useful cameos with the bat when required. Marcus Stoinis is an important member of this DC line-up and like the former, he has been contributing with both bat and bowl in this IPL.
Bowlers – Lockie Ferguson, Kuldeep Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, and R Ashwin.
Three of fastest bowlers of world cricket will be on view from both the sides. Lockie Ferguson has been very impressive since making appearance in this IPL taking 4 wickets and KKR will want him to keep up his form which would help KKR’s chances. Kuldeep Yadav can be a important spinner going forward with pitches wearing down. Rabada, the purple cap holder as of now has now taken wickets in each of his last 24 games and DC will look at him to provide important breakthroughs. Ashwin has been exceptional bowling at different stages of the innings and will be mighty effective going ahead.
Battles to look forward
- R Ashwin vs Eoin Morgan
- Kagiso Rabada vs Shubman Gill
- Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson vs Prithivi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan
R Ashwin is a great bowler to the left-handers and has already showcased his value to the Capitals. Last game he picked the dangerous Chris Gayle and Iyer will look to him whenever Morgan comes to bat. Shubman Gill has struggled to get going this IPL and a class bowler like Rabada will only trouble him more. The overseas quicks of KKR will be looked upon to remove the DC’s opener especially the in-form Shikhar Dhawan who is capable of taking the game away from them.
Head to Head between KKR and DC.
- Matches Played: 26
- DC Won: 12
- KKR won: 13
Significant Approaching Milestones.
74- Rishabh Pant needs further 74 runs to reach 2000 runs milestone.
1- Eoin Morgan needs 1 more maximum to hit 50 6’s in IPL.
74- Rahul Tripathi needs 74 more runs to cross 1000 IPL runs.
Match conditions
Venue: Sheik Zayed cricket stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Date & Timings: October 24, 2020, at 3.30 PM IST.
Weather: Clear with the temperature around 32-33 C.
Pitch: Likely to be a slow batting surface as the game progresses.
