IPL 2024: Delhi Capitals' strongest predicted playing XI against Kolkata Knight Riders

Delhi Capitals (DC) will be taking on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 16th match of IPL 2024. Both teams are on the back of a clinical win in their respective games. While DC won their previous game against CSK, KKR defeated RCB in their backyard. The confidence among the players of both teams would be high. KKR is better placed than DC in the points table due to the start they have got. They are unbeaten in the tournament till now.

While KKR are in the top half of the points table, DC are in the bottom half of the points table. KKR are currently in the second spot in the points table. With a total of two wins to their name in as many matches, KKR have a total of four points and a net run rate of +1.047 to their name. On the other hand, DC have won one of their three matches only. They have a total of two points and a net run rate of -0.016. The 2020 finalists are placed seventh in the points table.

The match is set to take place on the 3rd of April 2024 at 7:30 PM (IST) at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag. Both teams have some of the best players in the world. KKR have the likes of Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Mitchell Starc in their lineup. To play well against them, one needs to have a good set of players who can come together to perform as a team. DC have the players who are capable of doing so.

Also Check: DC vs KKR Live Score, Match 16

Here is the probable playing XI for DC for the match against KKR in IPL 2024, Match 16: 

Openers - David Warner and Prithvi Shaw 

At the top, DC have two of the most destructive batters David Warner and Prithvi Shaw. With Warner, they have the experience. The 37-year-old is no longer a part of the longer formats like Tests and ODIs. His only focus is now to help his teams to win matches as a batter in T20s. The Southpaw can go hard at the top and can anchor the innings as well. With a versatile batter like him at one end, batters at the other end can express themselves. 

Prithvi Shaw is a naturally aggressive batter. The right-handed batter can smash the bowlers for fun from his end and make the lives of the bowlers difficult. When on song, it is nearly impossible to stop him until he makes an impact. The youngster can singlehandedly win matches with the bat. With two openers like them batting with field restrictions, good luck to the bowlers. It allows the batters coming lower than them to take some time to settle.

Also Check: Orange Cap in IPL 2024 - Most Runs

Middle Order - Rishabh Pant, Tristan Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel

To follow the two openers there is a good set of middle-order batters. At number 3 or 4, Rishabh Pant is likely to bat based on the match scenario. The star batter just scored a fifty in the last game against CSK which helped his side win the match. It will be interesting to see how he bats after getting a little momentum in the league. Lower down the order, DC have some talented batters like Tristan Stubbs and Abhishek Porel, who can finish the games well.

Stubbs batted well in the game against RR. The South African tried his best to win the game for DC which almost seemed out of reach at one stage. He would be expected to perform in a similar way against KKR. To follow him would be Abhishek Porel who made a huge impact with the bat for DC against PBKS, although they lost the match. If required, he can keep the wickets as well. Lower down the order, his finishing is essential for DC.

Also Check: DC vs KKR Dream11 Prediction

All-Rounders - Mitchell Marsh and Axar Patel

DC have two world-class all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Axar Patel. Both of them are entirely different in nature. Mitchell is a right-handed batter who mostly bats at the top in the shorter format. With the ball, he can bowl at a good pace and trouble the batters. He is a wicket-taking bowler and has the ability to break partnerships. Even as a fielder he is safe. When on song, he can hammer the best bowlers in the world all over the park.

Axar Patel is a left-arm orthodox spinner. While the tall bowler is not a wicket-taking option, he can be highly economical and make an impact with the ball. He does not give away freebies and keeps the batter at bay from his end. With the bat, he can add some runs lower down the order at a quick rate. The Southpaw can pull off matches from difficult scenarios. In addition to them, DC could also bring in Rasikh Salam as the Impact Player like they did in the last game.

Also Check: IPL 2024: KKR predicted XI against DC, Match 16

Bowlers - Anrich Nortje, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, and Ishant Sharma (Impact Player)

In the bowling unit, DC have a lot of options. With the new ball, Khaleel Ahmed has been brilliant. The left-arm pacer has delivered the goods by taking wickets upfront. To assist him with the new ball would be Ishant Sharma who could come in as the Impact Player. In addition to it, Delhi have Anrich Nortje, who can bowl an over or two in the powerplay overs. His role is important in the middle overs and the death overs, where he can trouble the best batters in the world.

Kuldeep Yadav could not take part in the match against CSK. But he will be ready to go in the game against KKR. The chinaman bowler can take wickets in the middle overs to put pressure back on the batters. To partner Nortje at the other end, DC have Mukesh Kumar who was brilliant in the game against CSK. The right-arm pacer has the knack of taking wickets, but more importantly, stopping the batters from scoring runs in the death overs. 

Also Check: Purple Cap in IPL 2024 - Most Wickets

IPL 2024: DC's Probable Playing XI against KKR, Match 16

David Warner, Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Tristan Stubbs, Abhishek Porel, Axar Patel, Anrich Nortje, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav

Impact player - Rasikh Salam/Ishant Sharma