IPL 2021: Predicted starting lineups for Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders

After an utterly heartbreaking loss at the hands of the table-toppers Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the Delhi Capitals (DC) will look to get back to winning ways against a Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) side that have not been doing well so far in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Knight Riders, however, will be high on confidence after comfortably dispatching the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their previous encounter at the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. Judging from the dew factor in the previous game, the toss will be absolutely crucial. Neither side are likely to change their starting lineups. KKR were victorious in their previous encounter and will play on the same ground against DC, whereas, the Capitals, despite losing the game, were exceptional in their own right. 

Here are the predicted starting lineups for both sides. 

DELHI CAPITALS

Prithvi Shaw: The opener has had a fairly decent season so far, which consisted of him scoring an impressive half-century against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). He did not get as many runs against RCB but still managed a decent cameo of 21 runs off 18 deliveries. 

Shikhar Dhawan: Despite not having a good performance against RCB, Dhawan has been DC’s best batter this season, and is in contention to win the Orange Cap for now. 

Steve Smith: The Aussie had a quiet evening against RCB but the experience he brings to the table, coupled with his batting skills are assets in themselves and DC would be reliant on him to get a big score. 

Rishabh Pant (Captain, WK): The DC skipper had an excellent game against RCB in which he scored 58 runs off 48 deliveries. The innings, surprisingly, did not include a single maximum. 

Marcus Stoinis: The Aussie all-rounder had an evening to forget with the ball, conceding 23 runs in one over. However, he played a nice little cameo for his side in which he scored 22 runs off 17 deliveries. 

Shimron Hetmyer: The West-Indian all-rounder walked out to the crease all guns blazing. He smashed a blockbuster 53 runs off just 25 deliveries which included 2 fours and 4 maximums. 

Axar Patel: Patel did not get the chance to bat but he put in a decent shift with the ball as he picked one wicket for 33 runs in his four overs.

Kagiso Rabada: The South African fast bowler proved expensive against RCB as he conceded 38 runs in his four overs but he still managed to pick up a wicket. 

Avesh Khan: The youngster bowled an economical spell in which he conceded only 24 runs in four overs and also managed to pick up a wicket. 

Amit Mishra: The veteran spinner took one wicket for 27 runs in his three overs and will look to improve his economy against KKR. 

Ishant Sharma: After being on the bench for the opening few weeks of the IPL, Ishant was finally given a start and he put in a decent shift as he picked up one wicket in his four overs and conceded 26 runs. 

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS

Shubman Gill: Time seems to be running out for Gill as he is yet to showcase an impressive batting display. His skill, however, was never in doubt and it is only a matter of time before he starts firing again. 

Nitish Rana: Despite scoring a duck against PBKS, Rana has been KKR’s most consistent batter so far this season, and is in the race for the Orange Cap. 

Rahul Tripathi: Tripathi played an excellent knock against PBKS as he made 41 off 32 deliveries to stabilize the KKR innings at a time when they were losing quick wickets. 

Sunil Narine: The West Indian did not have a good time with the bat but seemed to be back at his best with ball in hand as he picked up two wickets for just v22 runs in his four overs. 

Eoin Morgan (Captain): Morgan finally got amongst the runs as he played a captain’s knock of 47 runs off 40 deliveries to see his side get over the line against PBKS. 

Andre Russell: An unfortunate runout cut short the West Indian’s innings against PBKS, but he will look to smash the ball around the park against the Capitals. 

Dinesh Karthik (WK): The former skipper stayed at the crease until the very end with the current skipper and hit the winning runs in KKR’s previous match. Karthik scored 12 runs off six deliveries. 

Pat Cummins: Cummins proved to be expensive in his three overs as he gave away 31 runs but he did pick up two wickets in his spell.

Shivam Mavi: The youngster had an exceptional game with the ball as he picked up one wicket in his four overs and conceded only 13 runs in the process. 

Prasidh Krishna: The pacer also had an exceptional game as he picked up three wickets in his four overs and conceded 30 runs in the process. 

Varun Chakravarthy: Arguably KKR’s most consistent bowler this season, Chakravarthy picked up one wicket in his four overs and conceded only 24 runs.