IPL 2021: Kolkata Knight Riders seek to continue winning momentum against wounded Delhi Capitals

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in the second IPL 2021 match of the day at Ahmedabad on Thursday. KKR are coming off a win over Punjab Kings, while DC lost a close encounter to Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, it will be DC who start the game as favourites. KKR’s woes begin at the top; specifically, their batting. Shubman Gill’s talent is undoubted but at this point, he is in a poor run of form; he’s made 89 runs in six matches.

KKR’s top-order woes were evident in their previous game. Chasing an easy 124 against PBKS, KKR’s top-order collapsed and left the side at 17 for 3 inside three overs. It took captain Eoin Morgan to lead from the front and snap four-match losing streak.

The last time we met @DelhiCapitals

Special knock, special moment. ?@NitishRana_27 #DCvKKR #KKRHaiTaiyaar #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/ZR6PgwFaUD

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 28, 2021

However, their bowling line-up has looked sorted, especially the spin bowling department. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy were excellent in the previous game, as were the pace bowlers.

For DC, it is a case of mind over matter. The team is a solid one and appear to have all bases covered. However, losing off the last ball by a solitary run will hurt.

How Rishabh Pant reacts to this setback could define the rest of his captaincy through the IPL 2021. If he does, DC have every reason to be optimistic over where their season is heading.

Team news

Both teams look to have settled starting line-ups and therefore any tinkering seems unlikely. Delhi are without the services of R Ashwin, who pulled out of the tournament due to the Covid-19 situation. Aside from that, both DC and KKR sport full-strength units.

Predicted XIs

Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Rishabh Pant (c/wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy

Match details

Match No. 25: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Pitch and weather conditions

The pitch at the stadium formerly known as the Motera aids spin and is generally on the slower side. Given that it is an evening match, dew will also be a factor. Expect teams winning the toss to bat second.

Statistics

KKR are slightly ahead of DC in the head-to-head record for this match – of the 26 encounters, KKR have won 14 and lost 11. One match was ruled a no-contest.