Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IPL 2020 Match 16: DC vs KKR Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | DC vs KKR Dream11 Prediction Today | Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Key Players | Sharjah Pitch Report

Welcome back to Sharjah. All four innings at Sharjah this season have resulted in 200+ scores, which makes for a great test for the bowling attacks of both these teams, who have both displayed encouraging signs so far in IPL 2020.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ lineup is filled with power-hitters, none more so than Andre Russell. And, when you combine Russell’s prowess with Eoin Morgan’s capabilities, as well as those of Dinesh Karthik, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana, KKR will go into this match believing they can put on a big score. Also, how will their pacers fare on this ground after a superb showing against Rajasthan Royals?

Like KKR, Delhi Capitals have two wins and one loss so far in IPL 2020. Their bowling, led by the superb Kagiso Rabada, has been encouraging, and will be tested at Sharjah. However, how will their batting, which has displayed up-and-down qualities, fare in what promises to be a high-scoring match? How will DC fare if they find themselves chasing a score in a tournament where the team setting a score has dominated?

DC, KKR or fan of any other team? Customize your own shirt, polo or jacket for under $US15. Check out the CricBlog Shop today.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Shreyas Iyer has the most runs out of both current squads in Kolkata-Delhi matches (290, avg. 32.22, SR 148.72). The DC captain has made starts in IPL 2020, but has not carried on. Plus, can he improve on his strike rate of 109.33?
• Andre Russell is one to watch today on the small Sharjah ground. He strikes at 198.15 in eight games for KKR vs Delhi, and is coming off an unbelievable IPL 2019 season, where he scored 510 runs at a strike rate of 204.81.
• Prithvi Shaw scored 99 (55) vs KKR last season. Overall, he has 175 runs in three matches vs KKR at an average of 58.33.
• Shikhar Dhawan was Player of the Match against Delhi in Kolkata last season, scoring 97* (63).
• Shubman Gill is enjoying a fine tournament so far. He has scored 124 runs in three matches at an average of 62.00. Also, he is performing well as an IPL opener, with his record reading: 9 inns, 360 runs, avg. 51.43, SR 130.91.
• Eoin Morgan is unbeaten in his last two knocks (42* off 29 balls and 32* off 23 balls). His ball striking will be key at Sharjah.
• Rishabh Pant averages just 21 in seven matches vs KKR. However, DC will want him to play with freedom here, as his last two IPL campaigns have been excellent: 1,172 runs, avg. 45.08, SR: 173.89.
• Kagiso Rabada has taken 32 wickets in his last 15 IPL matches. Incredibly, he has taken at least two wickets in each of his last 10 games.
• Can previous man of the match Shivam Mavi (2/20) and Kamlesh Nagarkoti (2/13) back up their superb performance against RR? The challenge will be containing the opposition on a high-scoring ground.
• Pat Cummins has hit form in his last two games. His 1/19 (4) and 1/13 (3) has set up a bowling platform for KKR in both matches.
• Sunil Narine hasn’t been at his best in IPL 2020. But, he has 20 wickets in 14 games against DC, so KKR could look to persist with him despite the fact he averages only 9.25 with the bat against them (6 inns).

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: 25 matches, DC 11, KKR 13, 1 abandoned.
• Delhi Capitals have won their past three matches against Kolkata Knight Riders.
• Rishabh Pant is currently DC’s highest run-scorer in IPL 2020, with 96. Before the RR vs RCB game, 15 other players have crossed 100 runs for the tournament. So, DC need more from their batsmen.
• The next-highest wicket-taker for DC after Kagiso Rabada (7) is 2, held by Ashwin, Stoinis, Axar Patel, Mishra and Nortje.
• If picked, how will Kuldeep Yadav fare on this ground? He has taken just five wickets in his last 13 IPL matches.
• When Sunil Narine takes at least one wicket against Delhi, KKR win 80% of their matches.
• Prithvi Shaw is key for DC. When he crosses 25, DC win 87.5% of the time. When he doesn’t reach 25, this drops to 45%.

Possible Playing 11

R Ashwin could be fit for this game, but it remains to be seen if DC wish to bring him back at Sharjah.

Delhi Capitals: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Shikhar Dhawan, 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Rishabh Pant (wk), 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Axar Patel, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Anrich Nortje, 10. Ishant Sharma, 11. Amit Mishra

KKR might look to stick with their winning combination, but one question is whether Kuldeep Yadav will be backed on a small ground. Also, expect to see Russell come in at four, particularly if KKR have a decent start.

Kolkata Knight Riders: 1. Shubman Gill, 2. Sunil Narine, 3. Nitish Rana, 4. Andre Russell, 5. Dinesh Karthik (c & wk), 6. Eoin Morgan, 7. Pat Cummins, 8 Kamlesh Nagarkoti, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Shivam Mavi, 11 Varun Chakravarthy

Sharjah Pitch Report and Conditions

This ground was home to the highest ever run chase in IPL history last time out. In four innings on this ground, 200 has been breached on all occasions, including by the struggling CSK. The temptation may be to chase with dew around, but a score in the region of 220 batting first is very much possible, and can put significant pressure on the opposition. Another high-scoring match can be expected.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

DC, KKR or fan of any other team? Customize your own shirt, polo or jacket for under $US15. Check out the CricBlog Shop today.

Match Prediction

A high-scoring match looks to be on the cards here, with a mix of experienced and young talent in both teams. KKR’s greater power in their side could count for plenty in this clash. KKR to win.

Thanks for reading!