IPL Match 42 | KKR vs DC | 24-Oct-2020 | Abu Dhabi 3:30 pm IST

[Gollum]

 

Quote

Despite the massive loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where Kolkata Knight Riders managed just 84 after batting 20 overs, head coach Brendon McCullum was slightly relieved that their "destiny is still in their own hands". With just four games to go in the league phase, KKR are now under pressure to ensure they don't slip up anymore especially with a resurgent Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad chasing them for a top-four slot.

McCullum admitted that the side was expecting RCB to hit them hard with pacers but wasn't expecting a "timid approach" from their batsmen. Delhi Capitals, settled comfortably at the top of the table, too are going to bank on their pacers to rattle KKR. The challenge now lies with Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Rana to find answers. The troika has been pretty poor so far in the tournament.

Shubman Gill has scored at a strike rate of 111.82 so far in the season while Rahul Tripathi has looked at sea after his match-winning performance against Chennai Super Kings. Nitish Rana averages just 18 in the season and has struggled to counter the conditions. With early wickets, KKR haven't been able to make full use of their middle-order muscle. Injuries to Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have only added to their woes. Bowling hasn't peaked either for KKR. Pat Cummins, despite his handy runs lower down the order, is struggling to pick wickets upfront. Lockie Ferguson's introduction has given the attack some bite but lack of wickets in the powerplay has made things difficult for Eoin Morgan.

Despite the loss against Kings XI Punjab, Kagiso Rabada asserted that it "was just a loss and not a wake-up call". The pacer has plenty of reasons to be not worried about his team's form. Shikhar Dhawan has struck consecutive centuries while R Ashwin has given the bowling unit more penetration. KKR have been mauled thrice in Abu Dhabi - twice by Mumbai Indians and once by RCB - and the battle scars could have a say in the clash against DC as well.

What: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals, Match 42, 1400 local time, 1530 IST

Where: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

What to expect: With no dew factor to counter, teams will hope to bat first. There have been three afternoon games so far in Abu Dhabi and all have been won by sides setting the target.

Team news

Kolkata Knight Riders: Will KKR bench Cummins if Narine is fit? Will they risk Russell if he doesn't recover in time? Or should KKR give another chance to Tom Banton? It's going to be an interesting meeting between the think-tank and the captain.

Probable XI: Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (w), Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell/Tom Banton, Pat Cummins/Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy.

 

Delhi Capitals: They find themselves in a position where they can afford to rest their key bowlers. Anrich Nortje was rested in the last game. Is it time for Rabada?

Probable XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Daniel Sams, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada/Anrich Nortje, Tushar Deshpande.

Cultural Capital vs National Capital...2 best cities in India, best food, world class metro, best CMs.....

Both likable teams, no attitude or gamesmanship, take note MI/CSK

 

What to look forward to:

• Speed demons, 4 of them each capable of hitting 150 kph, couple of them even mid-150s. After getting bored week after week watching these godforsaken trundlers and their knuckle balls can't wait to see the Nortje vs Ferguson speed gun battle
• Quality spin in both sides, hope Kuldeep bounces back soon
• Next gen of Indian cricket. Though most of them haven't set the stage on fire this edition, can't doubt their potential. In mid 2020s we could see our ICC trophy hopes rest on the shoulders of 6-7 players from these 2 sides, so hope this is a temporary blip
• How KKR top order recovers mentally after the blowout against RCB pacers in the previous match played in the same ground
• Whether DC has passed its peak, whether Shaw/Pant can finally get going, will Rabada be rested or will DC go for the kill with its formidable pace duo

 

Dragon is ready

 

Tiger is well and truly cornered, but that's when it is most dangerous

 

Put everything else aside this Saturday afternoon and grab your 

 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Ok that's enough

 

Edited October 23, 2020 by Gollum

[The Dark Horse]

KKR will try hard to lose another game

[Gollum]

@Cricketics @asterix @Austin 3:!6 @sourab10forever kindly pin this match thread. 

Edited October 23, 2020 by Gollum

[coffee_rules]

1 hour ago, Gollum said:

 

 

 

 

 

Of all pics in OP , my vote for the match-up goes to...

 

 

[zen]

A neutral cricket fan here so may the team that plays best wins .... Because this is an early morning game (for us on EST), will mostly likely skip it or at least most of it 

 

I hope that it turns out to be a good game as: 

• KKR have played some dismal cricket so could be due for a good performance
• DC would seek to bounce back too or if not it could signal a move towards a gradual loss of momentum 

 

BOL to both teams! 

[bowl_out]

2 hours ago, The Dark Horse said:

KKR will try hard to lose another game

 

They don't need to "try" to lose

[cricketfan28]

easy win for dilli .. kkr is no match

[The Dark Horse]

7 hours ago, bowl_out said:

 

They don't need to "try" to lose

Problem is when the other team also tries to lose, it ends up like vs Punjab or SRH

Edited October 24, 2020 by The Dark Horse

[speedheat]

Easy, just like kejri in Delhi election dc will wipe the floor.

[Gollum]

Have a bad feeling about today's match 

Nervous. If we don't win, making top 2 cut will become a Himalayan task. 

[The Dark Horse]

13 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Have a bad feeling about today's match 

Nervous. If we don't win, making top 2 cut will become a Himalayan task. 

Don't worry, easy win for DC. 

[Stan AF]

KKR

[Serpico]

shaw's last four innings: 4, 0, 0, 7. Now he is up against lockie. Can he put up a double digit score? Also can Dhawan continue his sensational form

[Chennai Chargers]

Dhawan duck incoming?

 

Just splashed my final FL sub on Shikhar in place of Shreyas.

 

Will be able to watch the whole match too on this very rainy English Saturday morning.

 

for the win.

 

After yesterday, we Chuskis are done.

 

I don't think Mumbai should take any plaudits for romping home against a team who simply love rolling over and having their tummies tickled.

Edited October 24, 2020 by Chennai Chargers

[The Dark Horse]

Ferguson should open the bowling for god's sake. Morgan's captaincy hasn't been too bright.

[velu]

[The Dark Horse]

DC won the toss and bowling first..match set game

Edited October 24, 2020 by The Dark Horse

[Ajju]

Rahane My C Today

[beetle]

[beetle]

gill de ya gallan....