Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
Let’s not beat around the bush. Delhi Daredevils are heading into “must-win” territory after four losses out of five games, and run into arguably the form team in IPL 2018 right now. DD have struggled since taking down Mumbai away from home, but it’s been the opposite for Kings XI Punjab, who have soared following a disappointing performance at RCB.
Delhi Daredevils are finally at home, which could be the kick they need to get their tournament going. It might look a little gloomy for them right now, but they do have what it takes to give KXIP a real run for their money. DD’s batting has held up pretty well so far, and face a KXIP side that has conceded 178+ in each of their last three games. Can they get revenge over KXIP for their first up loss in Mohali back on April 8th? Can they get runs on the board, and keep KXIP’s batting stars as quiet as possible? It remains to be seen.
Kings XI Punjab have established themselves as contenders for the title. Chris Gayle and KL Rahul have been unbelievable, telling the IPL world that they are well and truly here, with a “beat us if you can” attitude. Add Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and Aaron Finch, and you have a batting line up that can put the shivers into any bowling line up – just ask SRH and KKR, two teams with respected bowling attacks. However, anything is possible in IPL, as yesterday’s amazing games showed, so KXIP need to be switched on to win against a DD side that will start being desperate.
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Key to a Delhi Daredevils win
Can DD’s big hitters outplay KXIP’s?
This will require a complete performance, where the bowlers will also have a key role to play.
Against RCB, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant were superb in getting DD to a respectable total, but the rest of the line up struggled.
In this game, I pick five key players (in addition to Pant) that need to stand up for DD if they are to get their second win:
- Jason Roy and Glenn Maxwell are two players DD need to perform, thanks to their excellent hitting ability.
- Chris Morris, a strong IPL cricketer, has had a very slow start to the 2018 edition, and needs to stand up.
- Rahul Tewatia has been pretty good with the ball so far, and will have a key role to play in attempting to tame the KXIP line up. Trent Boult, as lead fast bowler, will have to get an early wicket or two to ensure KXIP don’t have too much of a damaging start.
These players can get the others to perform really well around them, so how they fare will be key.
Key to a Kings XI Punjab win
KXIP have conceded relatively large totals in recent times, but it hasn’t mattered.
KXIP run away with things in the powerplay, scoring at 10.67 runs per over, the best out of any team. Against a DD side perhaps a little down on confidence, a fast start can push the hosts onto the defensive, and question their belief whether they can stem the flow of runs.
Predicted teams
Delhi Daredevils XI: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Gautam Gambhir (c), 3.Shreyas Iyer, 4. Rishabh Pant (wk), 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Vijay Shankar, 7. Chris Morris, 8. Rahul Tewatia, 9. Shahbaz Nadeem, 10. Harshal Patel, 11. Trent Boult
Kings XI Punjab XI: 1. KL Rahul (wk), 2. Chris Gayle, 3. Mayank Agarwal, 4. Karun Nair, 5. Aaron Finch, 6. Yuvraj Singh, 7. R Ashwin, 8. Mujeeb ur Rahman, 9. Andrew Tye, 10. Barinder Sran, 11. Mohit Sharma
Stats and Facts:
- Head-to-Head: Matches 21, DD 9, KXIP 12. KXIP won by six wickets against DD in their other meeting in IPL 2018.
- KXIP score at 10.67 an over in the powerplay, the best out of all teams. DD are 8th best, scoring at just 7.67 an over.
- Gautam Gambhir has scored 38 off 47 balls against pace in IPL 2018. He really struggled at Bangalore. Can he bounce back?
- Rishabh Pant strikes at 272.2 after facing 30 balls in IPL 2018.
- Glenn Maxwell v Ravi Ashwin: 107 runs off 49 balls (SR 218.4).
Prediction:
Call me a little crazy, but I can sense an upset. Do I play it safe and stick with KXIP for the win?
The big difference between the sides at the moment is that KXIP’s big guns are consistently firing, whereas DD’s are not. I think this will change in this game, but will play it safe by picking a KXIP win in a close game, as they are buzzing with confidence!
