Betting Tips

The Desert Vipers have started off their campaign with a bang. They won their opening two games in a row. They have confidence from their previous meeting against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders after they won that match. Abu Dhabi will want to pick themselves up and start finding form.

Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Head-to-Head Record

The Vipers and Knight Riders have met three times in the ILT20. The Knight Riders won the first two games before the Vipers claimed a victory of their own earlier this season. All three matches have been won by the side chasing.

Desert Vipers vs Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Live-streaming and Broadcast

The Desert Vipers and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders take on each other for a second time in 2025 in this ILT20 match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, 18 January 2025. The Zee Network TV broadcast and FanCode app live-streaming will be the places to follow this game in India.

DV vs ADKR Team Previews

Desert Vipers

Fakhar Zaman and Alex Hales form a destructive opening partnership that will be looking to put their feet down in the powerplay. The Pakistani Zaman earned his stripes with a player-of-the-match performance against the MI Emirates with 67 off 52.

Hales added a valuable 34 runs alongside his opening partner in that game. Dan Lawrence and Sherfane Rutherford provide stability and aggression in the middle order as two big hitters in T20 cricket.

England’s Sam Curran adds versatility with his all-round capabilities. He can swing the new ball in the powerplay and offer pinch-hitting in any phase of the game, making him a versatile cricketer. Curran has four four-wicket hauls and four five-wicket hauls in T20s.

The young and promising Tanish Suri will don the gloves to give the Vipers a steady hand behind the stumps. Spin maestro Wanindu Hasaranga promises to be a game-changer with both bat and ball. He has an impressive 250 runs and 29 wickets in the ILT20 competition.

Local boy Ali Naseer adds depth with his all-round skills. Naseer has a batting high score of 63 not out in the ILT20.

The pace department is led by captain Lockie Ferguson. The New Zealander’s fiery skills could pile on early pressure to the Knight Riders. The pacer is complemented by the left-arm seam duo of Luke Wood and David Payne.

The pair of English fast bowlers have just over 400 T20 wickets between them.

Desert Vipers Expected Playing 11

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

The likes of Kyle Mayers and Phil Salt will provide non-stop boundary-hitting entertainment inside the powerplay. Without getting them early, they could go on to do serious damage. Mayers also chips in with the ball. He took two wickets in his previous game.

Salt has three T20 centuries and 42 half-centuries in 20-over cricket.

The middle order boasts reliability and explosivity with Joe Clarke and wicketkeeper-batter Michael Pepper. Clarke hit a composed 32 runs against Sharjah Warriors. Local talent Alishan Sharafu adds a youthful spark and familiarity with conditions.

Seasoned pros Jason Holder and David Willey provide balance with their all-round abilities. Holder was magnificent with the ball against Sharjah with four wickets. Willey was equally threatening when he took three wickets. Leading the charge is Andre Russell.

The all-rounder is a dynamite T20 cricketer who has changed games single-handedly globally.

The bowling attack is led by spin wizard Sunil Narine. The leg-spin of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth adds to the spin variety. The Sri Lankan has best bowling figures in ILT20 cricket of three for 22. The fiery pace of Shahid Bhutta balances the attack.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Expected Playing 11

DV vs ADKR Toss Prediction

Both captains may be confident if they get their way in opting to bowl first. All three matches between the Vipers and Knight Riders have been won by the side chasing.

Pitch and Conditions

Dubai International Cricket Stadium is a world-class venue which should offer a balanced pitch. There should be assistance to both batters and bowlers at different stages of the game. The fast bowlers could find early swing. The spinners will be most effective in the middle overs. Batting could be easiest after the ball stops swinging, but scoring shots on this ground should give you full value.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders posted 166 for five in 20 overs against the Desert Vipers this season.

Weather conditions should not be an issue with only a five percent chance of rain. Conditions will be partly cloudy while being hot and humid.

DV vs ADKR Betting Tips

The Desert Vipers will be high on confidence given a phenomenal start to their season. They will be looking for back-to-back wins against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. The Knight Riders, on the other hand, has shown signs of weakness in their batting and look a bit unsettled.

Bet on Desert Vipers to win this match.