KKR vs DC Match Preview
KKR's batting performance has been exceptional this season. They have managed to achieve five totals of 200+ runs, with two of them surpassing the 250-run mark. The opening pair of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt has been ruthless, accumulating 406 runs at an impressive average of 50.75 and a phenomenal run rate of 12.36.
Narine has been a pleasant surprise, scoring a total of 357 runs and currently holding the second position in the race for the Orange Cap. The middle order comprising of Shreyas Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, and Venkatesh Iyer provides stability, while Rinku Singh and Andre Russell excel as finishers with the bat.
It is challenging to identify any weaknesses in this batting lineup.
However, the bowling performance on Friday, apart from Narine, was quite ordinary, and the team will aim to improve in that aspect. With Mitchell Starc's injury, the pace attack will heavily rely on Harshit Rana and Dushmantha Chameera.
Jake Fraser-McGurk once again displayed his aggressive form, smashing his third half-century of the season in just 15 deliveries, contributing to his team's highest-ever IPL total of 257 runs. He will strive to provide another strong start alongside Abhishek Porel.
While McGurk has significantly boosted the batting lineup, we remain skeptical about Porel's performance.
Shai Hope, who had a relatively quiet season, played a blistering innings of 41 runs off 17 balls, while Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs continue to score boundaries effortlessly. With the inclusion of players like Axar Patel and Kumar Kushagra in the lower order, DC possesses a long batting lineup.
The strategic reshuffling of the batting order to strengthen the middle has proven to be highly successful for DC.
Axar has also showcased his bowling prowess by taking seven wickets and will partner with Kuldeep Yadav. The pace attack consists of Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar, who have collectively claimed 25 wickets. Rasikh Salam has emerged as a remarkable revelation, securing consecutive three-wicket hauls.
Weather Report
The weather will be warm, with temperatures of over 32 degrees.
Pitch Report
The Eden Gardens has proved to be a batsman’s paradise this season, with an average first-inning score of 215 runs.
The Punjab Kings chased down 262 runs here on Friday and that shows no total is safe. There is very little margin for error for the bowlers, especially the seamers. The slower bowlers can expect some turn if they hit the right areas.
Notable stats
Sunil Narine: Possible Captain Pick
Sunil Narine has scored 204 runs during Powerplays, which is the 3rd most by any batsman. He has scored them at an incredible strike rate of 177.39.
Team News
Mitchell Starc missed the last match due to an injury and updates regarding his availability for this game are awaited.
KKR vs DC Probable 11
KKR Playing 11
- Phil Salt (Wk)
- Sunil Narine
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Ramandeep Singh
- Andre Russell
- Rinku Singh
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Harshit Rana
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
DC Playing 11
- Jake Fraser-McGurk
- Abhishek Porel
- Rishabh Pant (C)
- Tristan Stubbs
- Axar Patel
- Kumar Kushagra
- Shai Hope
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Lizaad Williams
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Mukesh Kumar
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing the Delhi Capitals to win this match. The team’s campaign has gradually gathered steam over the last couple of weeks and most of the players look in fine touch. The Capitals also have a better balance in its bowling attack and that might just be the biggest differentiator.
Top Picks
Jake Fraser-McGurk: Fraser-McGurk is in incredible form, scoring 247 runs at an average of 49.40 and a strike rate of 237.50.
Rishabh Pant: Pant is the leading run-scorer for Delhi with 371 at an average of 46.37 and a strike rate of 160.60.
Phil Salt: Salt has scored 324 runs at a strike rate of 176.08. He has 3 scores of 45+ runs in his last 4 innings.
KKR vs DC Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: R Pant, P Salt
Batters: T Stubbs, S Iyer, J Fraser-McGurk (VC)
All-rounders: A Russell, S Narine (C), A Patel
Bowlers: K Yadav, K Ahmed, M Kumar
