Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Delhi Capitals in a top of the table clash at Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi as both teams would want to return back to winning ways.
KKR who were tamed by Bengaluru outfit would look to have a better game to have the best chance of winning. Delhi Capitals who are sitting at top of the table, for now, were beaten quite comprehensively by Kings X1 outfit as their batsman could not capitalise on their starts. Starting with Kolkata they are still comfortably placed at 10 points and a victory against DC would get them back on track.
It’s showtime!
Let’s do this knights 💪🏾#KKRHaiTaiyaar #Dream11IPL #KKRvDC pic.twitter.com/mpifjKWpTC
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) October 24, 2020
Not only they will reach 12 points but will also get breathing space over the teams placed in the bottom half of the table. Their batting gas to start clicking and top order has to score big runs to make it easy for lower order and bowlers. Gill, Rana, Morgan, Karthik have to play with intent and score big. They also have been hampered by an injury to Andre Russell and suspension concern for Sunil Narine. Morgan after the last match said that both are very close to return and whom they will replace will be interesting to see.
Lockie Ferguson has been the shining light on their bowling by taking wickets while others have struggled to take wickets. Cummins has not gone for many runs after first few games but he has been played out by batsman by hitting him for 7-8 runs per over. He would be feeling the pressure as KKR have to spend big on him and he would like to take wickets to prove their gamble worth taken.
Four matches are left for them and they have to win three at least to make it to playoffs easily. In that context, tomorrow’s match becomes vital for them. Coming to Delhi Capitals, Shikhar Dhawan has been tremendous for them in last 4 matches with two back to back hundreds in IPL, first by any player. Prithvi Shaw has to take responsibility and score some runs as he is going through a slump in form. Iyer, Pant, Stoinis, Hetmyer form the backbone of their middle order and are required to push the scoring rune through middle overs.
Their bowling has been doing good and every bowler is looking like taking a wicket, apart from the last match where Deshpande was taken to cleaners by Gayle. Nortje who was rested due to a niggle against Kings X1, if the fit would be included in team which means Sams, who had an economical debut in IPL, has to miss out. A loss for Delhi would not impact their playoffs chances but the prospect of finishing number one or two would take a hit. Delhi Capitals would like to win so that they get back to number one position, which they might lose to MI if MI defeats CSK. KKR top order has not clicked till now but is a strong top 5 which DC should be aware of.
Looking at both teams morale, DC look favourites but it’s the business end of IPL and anything can happen.
