Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2021
- Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw and Avesh have been standout performers for Delhi this season.
- In the previous encounter, Delhi Capitals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad via super-over eliminator.
- Kolkata Knight Riders have lost four matches in a row in the competition.
Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns in the 25th match of 2021 Indian Premier League played at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
In this year’s competition, Delhi Capitals have shown excellent form with bat and ball and registered three victories on the bounce. Captain Rishabh Pant will be hoping that the side can maintain their disciplines with bat and ball.
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight put in another timid batting performance to lose their previous game against Rajasthan Royals. The franchise will need to change their batting order in a bid to end their batting woes in the competition.
Teams' strengths & weaknesses
Delhi Capitals
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals are one of main contenders to lift the trophy the season. The franchise will be looking to three-match winning streak against Kolkata.
In the batting department, the team will be depending on opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has delivered excellent performance this season. Left-hander has contributed significantly to the team’s cause by scoring 259 runs in five outings at an average of 51.80.
His opening partner, Prithvi Shaw will need to continue his good form for the side in this contest. In five innings, rookie opener Prithvi Shaw accumulated 166 runs with two half-centuries to his name.
Captain Rishabh Pant has chipped in with crucial performances for Delhi this season. Wicket-keeper has so far accumulated 125 runs in five innings at an average of 31.25.
Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetymer will make up the middle-order for Delhi Capitals for this all-important clash.
In the bowling department, the team revolves around the magic of young pacer Avesh Khan, who so has claimed 11 wickets five matches at an average of just 12.45.
However, he is being well supported by spinner Amit Mishra and pacer Kagiso Rabada, who has claimed 5 and 4 wickets respectively.
Kolkata Knight Riders
The franchise batting woes continued as they struggled to produce a competitive score against Rajasthan Royals. The side suffered six-wicket defeat at hand of Rajasthan in a game played at Mumbai.
The result left Kolkata with just two points from five matches, which means that they would have to really well from here to seal their place in the playoffs this season.
In the batting department, the home side will be heavily dependent on opener Nitish Rana, who so far has scored 186 runs in five matches at an average of 37.20, and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who scored 97 runs at an average of 32.30
It will be interesting to see if Kolkata Captain Eoin Morgan will get a chance to redeem himself in the next match after managing to score just 45 runs in five innings at an average of 9.00. With repeated failures with the bat, Eoin Morgan will under immense to put in a notable score against Delhi Capitals.
In the bowling department, the dependence is clearly on pacer Prasidh Krishna and spinner Varun Chakravarthy to deliver crucial breakthroughs. With six wickets so far this season, Varun Chakravarthy has turned out to be premier spin option for the franchise. The likes of Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan and Harbhajan Singh might come into the equation if pitch conditions are on the slower side.
Match Conditions
The wicket prepared for the game at Ahmedabad will certainly provide a tight contest between bat and ball. The spinners will certainly a huge rule in the outcome of the match. The weather forecast for Thursday’s game is going to be clear skies in the evening.
Game Statistics
Given their head-to-head record in the Indian Premier League, Kolkata Knight Riders have registered 14 victories in comparison to Delhi’s 11 wins.
Since April 2018, Delhi Capitals have won four matches out of six played against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Player in-form
Shikhar Dhawan has certainly been in scintillating form in this year’s competition. Left-hander has shown incredible consistency at the top of the innings for Delhi Capitals this season. The franchise will certainly be hoping that Dhawan can deliver his absolute best with the bat at Ahmedabad.
Prediction
Based on the current form this season, Delhi Capitals will be favorites to win their game against Kolkata Knight Riders. With Axar Patel and Amit Mishra showing decent form in the previous game, Delhi will be hoping that they can continue their good work at Ahmedabad.
On the other hand, Kolkata Knight Riders have to produce something special with the bat to end their winless streak in the competition.
Expect Delhi Capitals to register a comprehensive win over Kolkata Knight Riders.