This exciting weekend will feature a super Saturday as we’ll get two thrilling matches on the same day! The second match of the day will feature the Delhi Capitals taking on Kolkata Knight Riders.
The Capitals are coming off their first loss of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, are coming off a clinical win handing Rajasthan Royals their first loss of the season.
Delhi Capitals
The Capitals are having issues with their top-order. Youngster Prithvi Shaw will have to show consistency. The middle-order has been good, however, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Shimron Hetmyer will have to convert their starts into bigger scores.
Capitals’ bowling has been decent as well. Ashwin’s absence hasn’t been affecting the team. However, Ishant Sharma, who is known as a test specialist, will have to get adapted to the T20 circuit.
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR seems to have finally found its best combination after a dominant win over the undefeated Rajasthan Royals. Opener Shubhman Gill has been phenomenal throughout the IPL. Sunil Narine, on the other hand, has been struggling. However, at Sharjah under a small stadium, he can be even more effective. KKR’s middle-order can do better as well. Nitish Rana has been getting starts but has been unable to convert them. Skipper Dinesh Karthik and dangerous Andre Russell will have to step up their game.
Their bowling, on the other hand, has been phenomenal. They have access to six solid bowling options. Pat Cummins has regained his form. Both youngsters Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti have been great. Sunil Narine bowls in the powerplay overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Andre Russell chip in with a few overs as well.
Fantasy XI team
SHUBMAN GILL (9) (C) – Gill looked in great form in the second match as his fifty took KKR home. He scored another fifty against RR to take KKR towards a respectable total. He’ll be our captain.
SHREYAS IYER (9.5) (VC) – Iyer has been consistent. He can be even more destructive keeping in mind the shorter boundaries.
RISHABH PANT (9.5) – Pant has looked solid as well. It’s just a matter of fact he converts his thirties into fifties and beyond.
PRITHVI SHAW (8.5) – Shaw hasn’t been consistent, but again with the shorter boundaries, he’s well-equipped to score more.
EOIN MORGAN (9) – Morgan has shown great form. He took KKR home against their match against SRH. He also played an important contribution against RR to put up a respectable total.
NITISH RANA (9) – Rana has looked good. He will have to convert his starts into bigger scores though.
ANDRE RUSSELL (10.5) – Russell showed some form in their last match against RR. With shorter boundaries, his confidence will be through the roof as well.
SUNIL NARINE (9.5) – Narine hasn’t been in the best of the form. However, he can smash the ball keeping in mind the shorter boundaries. Also, his mystery deliveries will be useful as spinners struggle a lot in Sharjah.
KAGISO RABADA (9.0) – Rabada has been in great form. He has been leading the DC bowling line-up really well.
ANRICH NORTJE (8) – Nortje has impressed everybody with his pacy deliveries which even touch up to 150 kmph. He has been a great late replacement in place of Chris Woakes.
SHIVAM MAVI (8) – Mavi has proved himself in his all the three matches.
PREDICTION
The Sharjah stadium is a graveyard for bowlers, especially spinners. KKR have solid six bowling options. Therefore, even if one of the bowlers go excessively expensive, the sixth bowlers can chip in with an over or two.
DC have six bowlers as well, however, Ishant Sharma hasn’t played much in the T20 circuit and Amit Mishra has been a bot expensive as well.
The Kolkata Knight Riders will therefore defeat the Delhi Capitals.
Do check out:
