The upcoming match in the IPL 2024 will see the Delhi Capitals facing off against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on April 3.
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DC vs KKR: Match Preview
Having played three matches so far, the Delhi Capitals have only secured one victory in the tournament, which was against the Chennai Super Kings. In contrast, the Kolkata Knight Riders remain undefeated with two wins out of two matches. The two-time champions will be aiming for their third consecutive win of the season in Visakhapatnam.
Although Visakhapatnam serves as an alternate home venue for the Delhi Capitals, their recent match here was largely dominated by fans supporting the Chennai Super Kings, especially for their allegiance to MS Dhoni. When facing the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Capitals hope for more support in their team colors as they strive to improve their position in the points table.
The Capitals are familiar with the challenge of starting the IPL season slowly, as they experienced in IPL 2023 when they lost their first five games. Therefore, their recent victory against CSK holds significant importance in their campaign.
Despite lacking the depth in batting seen in some other teams, the Capitals rely heavily on their top order to perform consistently throughout the tournament. Notably, players like Prithvi Shaw and David Warner have impressive records against KKR, with Warner having scored 1075 runs against them and Shaw averaging 45, including his highest score of 99 against them in 2019.
Rishabh Pant’s promotion to No. 3 in the batting order against CSK showcased the team’s proactive approach, which was rewarded by Pant’s quick half-century. However, the Capitals will require contributions from other batsmen as well, especially against the formidable Kolkata Knight Riders, who have started the season with two convincing victories.
KKR, despite their strong start, need to address their powerplay bowling, which has been the weakest among all teams in the tournament so far, with an economy rate of 10.75. Mitchell Starc, in particular, has struggled, conceding 100 runs without taking a wicket. With conditions possibly favoring swing and seam, Starc will be eager to deliver improved performances.
Additionally, apart from Andre Russell, Phil Salt, and Venkatesh Iyer, the rest of KKR’s batting lineup will also aim to contribute more effectively in upcoming matches.
DC vs KKR: Pitch Report & Conditions
The surface at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium is notably favorable for spinners, offering ample turn for them to exploit. Batsmen also find some assistance on this pitch. Choosing to bat first and setting a substantial target could prove to be a wise decision.
During the first game in Vizag, the pitch featured a moderate covering of grass, facilitating swing and seam movement for the entirety of the 40 overs. Moreover, the conditions intensified further under the floodlights. Similar circumstances are anticipated for the upcoming DC vs KKR match. Additionally, teams should take heed of the warning regarding excessive heat and humidity in Vizag.
DC vs KKR: Head-to-head
In their head-to-head encounters spanning 32 matches, Delhi Capitals have emerged victorious in 15 games, while Kolkata Knight Riders have claimed victory in 16 matches. There has been one instance where the match ended with no result. The rivalry between the two teams dates back to May 13, 2008, with their most recent clash occurring on April 20, 2023.
DC vs KKR: Team News and Impact Player Strategy
Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals made a strategic move by including Prithvi Shaw in the previous game, which proved to be fruitful. However, he was substituted later in the match, with Rasikh Salam stepping in. Depending on the match situation, if Delhi Capitals bowl first, the selection of Salam or Lalit Yadav might be considered in the starting lineup, with Shaw potentially joining later. Conversely, if they bat first, the lineup might see a different configuration.
The absence of Kuldeep Yadav due to a minor injury against CSK was felt, and the Capitals are hopeful for his swift return, ideally for the upcoming game.
There are concerns regarding the form of their overseas players, Tristan Stubbs and Anrich Nortje. Stubbs faced an early dismissal in the previous match, while Nortje has displayed signs of rustiness in his performances. Jhye Richardson showcased promising form during the practice sessions, making him a potential replacement option, especially if Nortje is rested. Alternatively, Jake Fraser-McGurk could be considered as a replacement for Stubbs.
Probable XII:
- Prithvi Shaw
- David Warner
- Rishabh Pant (capt, wk)
- Mitchell Marsh
- Tristan Stubbs/Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Axar Patel
- Abishek Porel
- Anrich Nortje/Jhye Richardson
- Mukesh Kumar
- Ishant Sharma
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Rasikh Salam/Lalit Yadav
Kolkata Knight Riders
Varun Chakravarthy bowled only two overs in KKR’s previous game before being replaced by Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Leg-spinner Suyash Sharma is another potential option for that position, with Raghuvanshi being the Impact Player again, potentially swapping places with Suyash or Chakravarthy depending on the match scenario.
Venkatesh Iyer appeared to have experienced a back tweak in KKR’s previous match, but bowling coach Bharat Arun has confirmed that he is “fit and raring to go.”
Probable XII:
- Phil Salt (wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Shreyas Iyer (capt)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Mitchell Starc
- Anukul Roy
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakravarthy/Suyash Sharma
DC vs KKR: Match Prediction
Scenario 1:
If Delhi Capitals win the toss and choose to bowl first, and the Power Play score is 60-70, with a projected first innings score of 180-190, Kolkata Knight Riders are predicted to win the match.
Scenario 2:
If Kolkata Knight Riders win the toss and opt to bowl first, and the Power Play score is 55-65, with a projected first innings score of 170-180, Kolkata Knight Riders are also predicted to win the match.
Therefore, according to the given predictions, Kolkata Knight Riders are favored to win in both scenarios.
DC vs KKR: Dream 11 Fantasy Prediction
Team 1:
- Keeper: Philip Salt, Rishabh Pant
- Batsmen: David Warner (vc), Venkatesh Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Mitchell Marsh
- Bowlers: Andre Russell (c), Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana
Team 2:
- Keeper: Philip Salt, Rishabh Pant
- Batsmen: David Warner, Venkatesh Iyer, Prithvi Shaw
- All-rounders: Sunil Narine (c), Mitchell Marsh (vc), Andre Russell
- Bowlers: Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana, Mukesh Kumar
When and Where to Watch the Match: Streaming & Broadcast Details
What: Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL 2024
When: 7:30 PM IST, Wednesday – April 3
Where: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Where to watch DC vs KKR Live Streaming: JioCinema app for FREE
Where to watch DC vs KKR Live Telecast: Star Sports
