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As we head towards the back end of the business in the Indian Premier League 2021, every contest becomes crucial for the playoffs spots. KKR) will face DC at Sharjah on September 28 in an attempt to solidify their top-four spot.
Eoin Morgan-Brendan McCullum’s Knight Riders haven’t had a great season but have just managed to stay ahead of the other three teams in contention for the fourth spot because of their positive net run-rate of 0.322. KKR have played 10 games, winning four and losing six of those.
They need to win a minimum of three out of the remaining four matches to qualify for the playoffs. After putting in dominant performances in the first two games of the UAE leg, the Knight Riders lost their last game by two wickets against Chennai Super Kings.
Rishabh Pant-Ricky Ponting’s Delhi Capitals are having a dream run in the IPL 2021, sitting comfortably in the top two with 16 points and a net run-rate of +0.711. DC have won eight out of their 10 matches and have almost qualified for the playoffs.
They are on a four-match winning streak and all of those being comprehensive displays. They hammered RR by 33 runs in the last match on a slower surface of Abu Dhabi.
In the previous fixture between these two franchises, the Capitals had chased down a target of 155 with seven wickets and 21 balls to spare. KKR, who look like a much-improved side, will be looking to level the scores at Sharjah.
Key Players
Shikhar Dhawan has been one of the most consistent batters in the league and has upped his scoring rate in recent years. The DC southpaw is the current Orange Cap holder with 430 runs from 10 innings at an average of 47.77 and strike rate of 131.09, including three half centuries. Dhawan will have a big task ahead of with KKR spinners in form.
Rishabh Pant has been one of the most destructive middle order batters in the IPL since his arrival. He has amassed 2350 runs for DC over the years at an average of 35.6 while striking at 149.1 with one hundred and 14 fifties. Pant has scored 272 runs this season averaging 38.85 and striking at 131.40. The Delhi skipper will have a huge role to play against KKR’s pace duo of Lockie Ferguson and Andre Russell.
Anrich Nortje is one of the fastest pacers in world cricket. The intimidating South African pacer has impressive numbers in the T20 format, picking 66 wickets in 54 matches at an economy of 7.40, with best bowling of 4/19.
Nortje did not play for DC in the first leg of this season for various reasons but immediately made an impact in the UAE, with four wickets in two games at an incredible economy of 3.75.
Shubman Gill, who is highly rated as the next superstar in world cricket, is not far from cracking the T20 format. Gill has 1419 runs in 58 T20 innings at an average of 30.84 and strike rate of 127.95. DC’s pace heavy bowling attack should suit Shubman’s game and could be the game-changer.
Andre Russell is one of the most valuable T20 players in world cricket. The Jamaican all-rounder is a magnificent striker with the bat, who can walk into the side just as a bowler. He has over 6400 runs at a strike rate of 169.66 and has 340 wickets in the T20 format. This IPL season, he has scored 183 runs at 26 and 152 SR, while picking 11 scalps. Russell could create havoc at Sharjah if he can tackle DC’s pace.
Prediction
The overall head to head record between the two sides is slightly in favour of KKR with a scoreline of 14-13. But it’s important to note that this new DC unit has defeated KKR in four of the last five meetings.
Delhi Capitals have a settled unit with one issue at best, and that is the injury of Marcus Stoinis. If they play Sam Billings, they will have to go in with only five bowling options. Their bowling unit has done a good job in this leg, having most bases covered. The batting department has been in outstanding form but will be put under the test against KKR’s bowling unit.
Kolkata Knight Riders have a few issues to deal with. One of those being Prasidh Krishna’s form, and he’s likely to be dropped, but the alternatives are also inexperienced.
Their middle order has been in a bad state with Morgan not firing. KKR batting unit will have their work cut out against DC’s attack. While Delhi Capitals look favourites heading into the game, the short boundaries at the Sharjah should make it a very tight contest.
