IPL 2019: Kolkata Knight Riders aim to sustain dominance, Delhi Capitals eye redemption

Kolkata Knight Riders are riding high on confidence after wins over Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab. Heading into the clash against Delhi Capitals at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Kolkata Knight Riders would be aiming to win their third straight game and prove themselves worthy contenders for the IPL 2019 title. However, Delhi Capitals, who started their tournament on a high with a win over three-time champions Mumbai Indians but stumbled against another three-time champions Chennai Super Kings, know that yet another loss will derail their momentum which they built after the win at the Wankhede. Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting stressed after the Chennai Super Kings game that the team needed to bat well in the death overs and bowl well in the powerplay in order to be consistent.

Chris Morris, speaking in the pre-match press conference, stated that the wicket at the Feroz Shah Kotla has offered more spin and the occasional ball is stopping on the wicket. With this statement, Kolkata Knight Riders will be tempted to field a lot of spinners. Kuldeep Yadav, Sunil Narine and Piyush Chawla will hold the key in this encounter. Nitish Rana, who captains Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, has already hit two consecutive fifties and will be gunning for a third in this season. Robin Uthappa, Narine and Chris Lynn make Kolkata Knight Riders’ batting potent.

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For Delhi Capitals, The top order is looking in good shape despite the setback against Chennai Super Kings. Shikhar Dhawan might need to step up and play with far more aggression in order to lay the platform for Rishabh Pant. Shreyas Iyer and Prithvi Shaw, the young stars of the side will be gunning for redemption but the bowling, in addition to the captaincy, will have to be smart if they have to stop a dominant Kolkata Knight Riders side.

Team combinations

With the Kotla deck assisting spin, the teams might load their bowling line-up with pacers while pace bowlers will be tempted to take the pace off the ball. A good start in the powerplay will be the key, meaning Narine might once again get a promotion

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Nitish Rana, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthik(w/c), Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Prasidh Krishna

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Colin Ingram, Rishabh Pant(w), Keemo Paul, Axar Patel, Rahul Tewatia, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma

Who will win?

Kolkata Knight Riders have a better bowling and batting line-up and they hold the edge ahead of the clash against Delhi Capitals.

Weather and pitch

The temperature is rising in Delhi and summer is well and truly here. However, the nights are still a bit pleasant and dew might not be a factor.

Stadium and timings

The match will be played at the Feroz Shah Kotla and it will start at 8:00 PM IST.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
• Delhi Capitals lost to Chennai Super Kings.
• Nitish Rana has slammed two consecutive fifties.