IPL 2018, Match 2, Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils - Expectation vs Reality

Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab are two teams that utilized the opportunity to overhaul their sides in the mega-auction ahead of the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). A homecoming for skipper Gautam Gambhir at Delhi and Yuvraj Singh at Punjab with a new coach in the form of Ricky Ponting at the helm for the former and the addition of Ravichandran Ashwin as captain for the latter, the contest is set to be an interesting one.

Kings XI, this year, have done well to have a solid Indian core while Delhi Daredevils have picked up several match-winners, the presence of which was lacking in the last few seasons. The common point for both teams remains the need to right their wrongs and work on the mistakes that have eluded both sides of a trophy in the last decade.

The second encounter of the tournament is one between these two teams at Mohali. Things will get particularly interesting for the next encounter between the two when Glenn Maxwell arrives. Having captained the side earlier, he is now well aware of the strategies that their coach Virender Sehwag likes to work with. However, this encounter, DD will have the edge over them anyway, is the first instinct. Do your expectations match ours?

KL Rahul to give a glimpse of what’s in store

He may have looked underwhelming in his last few outings for India and also his time with Karnataka in domestic cricket but now that he has been entrusted with a responsibility and the clarity of batting at a position, expect his confidence to be on the rise.

With the kind of moolah that has been spent on him, while the pressure to justify it may be high, expect this season to be as good if not better than the 2016 season for him. He will give a glimpse of why he is one of the MVPs of the league and not just the team starting their first match of the season against DD.

Mohammed Shami to stage a comeback

Due to the topsy-turvy issues in his personal life, Shami’s career was hanging by a thread till a few weeks back. However, there was a sense of positivity for him amidst the chaos after he was cleared to play for DD.

Expect Shami to use him for this stage to assure you that no matter what happens, he will remain one of the best fast-bowlers India produced. If he plays the team’s first encounter against KXIP, expect a teaser of what he is determined to for the rest of the season.

Wait for the reality check that comes up right after the match…

And, KL Rahul proves us right

Every word mentioned in the expectations was true for KL Rahul as he scored the fastest half-century in the history of IPL, all in a matter of 14 balls. With inspiring intent, he first smashed Trent Boult for 16 runs in the first over, then continued to treat Mohammed Shami and Amit Mishra similarly.

The blitzkrieg ended in the fifth over but the damage had been done, he had given KXIP the start they needed and made sure he laid the platform for the chase with his 16-ball-51. He was then awarded with a memorable reception from the home crowd and the man of the match trophy.

Shami didn’t even complete his full quota

The comeback was not what we expected at all. He bowled only two out of four overs. His economy was soaring at 13 by the end of those two overs as it is. He conceded 26 runs and was shown no mercy when KL Rahul was on song. So, that expectation was far from reality.