IPL 2018, Match 2: Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils – Match Predictions

The Kings boast of tremendous squad depth.

Published - 07 Apr 2018, 13:50 IST | Updated - 07 Apr 2018, 13:50 IST

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Delhi Daredevils is one of the only three teams in IPL 11 who have never lifted the IPL trophy despite having decent squads on occasions in the past and the same goes for Kings XI Punjab who also has their trophy cabinet empty after ten goes at the IPL.

This is, however, a fresh start for both of them under different captains and they will be keen for a winning start on Sunday evening as they take on each other at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali. A crackerjack of a contest is surely on the cards considering the players the two teams have in their ranks.

Pitch and Conditions

There is always a little bit of help for the fast bowlers at the PCA Stadium. The ball zips through to the keeper with decent pace and while it gives the pacemen the opportunity to bend their backs and hurry the batters, it also allows the batters, if they are skilled enough, to use the pace on the deliveries and collect boundaries.

It’s a decent sized ground as well and tests the big-hitting abilities of the players. Mistimed hits don’t generally go over the fence and players who haven’t got the raw power are better off trying to pierce the gap rather than taking the leather off the ball at this venue.

Since dew will have a say in almost all the games in North India at this time of the year, bowling-first will again be the way to go if a captain gets the chance to make a decision at the toss.

Playing Combination

Kings XI Punjab

Overseas picks– Chris Gayle, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

Gayle will probably open the batting with Mayank Agarwal, while KL Rahul, the most expensive player of the franchise who will also don the gloves, will bat 3. Yuvraj Singh at no. 4 is a no-brainer, while the finishing responsibilities will lie on the trio of David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, and Axar Patel.

The bowling unit will be composed of the skipper Ravichandran Ashwin who will be the spearhead of the spin department with Axar being the second spinner and the three pacemen Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma and Ankit Rajpoot.

Predicted XI: Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul (WK), Yuvraj Singh, Marcus Stoinis, David Miller, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma, Ankit Rajpoot

Delhi Daredevils

Overseas picks– Colin Munro, Chris Morris, Daniel Christian, Trent Boult

Colin Munro will partner the skipper Gautam Gambhir up top, while Rishabh Pant will bat 3, followed by Shreyas Iyer and Gurkeerat Singh Mann at 4 and 5 respectively. Chris Morris and Daniel Christian will be the two all-rounders at 6 and 7 who will provide a lot of balance to the visitors as they can contribute in both facets of the game.

Fitness permitting, Mohammed Shami will share the new ball with the Blackcap speedster Trent Boult, while the two spinners for Delhi will be Amit Mishra and Shahbaz Nadeem, who have been decent performers for the franchise in the past as well.

Predicted XI: Colin Munro, Gautam Gambhir (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Chris Morris, Daniel Christian, Shahbaz Nadeem, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Trent Boult

Team Comparison

Punjab’s batting looks a bit better in comparison to Delhi as they have got a nice blend of power and class. Chris Gayle doesn’t need any introduction as everyone knows how he can just butcher the bowling attacks when he is in mood and Mayank Agarwal and Lokesh Rahul are probably the two most impressive young limited-over batsmen going around in the Indian cricketing circles at the moment. Yuvraj Singh might be in the twilight of his career, but he is still capable of changing the course of a match and so are David Miller and Marcus Stoinis.

Delhi will need Colin Munro to fire. Gambhir will drop anchor and will look to play through the innings, while the likes of Pant, Iyer, and Gurkeerat will play their natural, fearless game. Chris Morris and Daniel Christian will be the two big hitters at the end.

Bowling wise, there is not much to pick out of the two teams. Both Nadeem and Axar are quality T20 spinners and do a fine job in the middle part of the innings, putting brakes on the run rate. Ashwin and Mishra will be the attacking spinners who will go for wickets.

Tye and Boult will be the quicks to watch out for. Boult gets a nice shape upfront even with the white ball and swinging it back into the right-handers and away from the left-handers in the powerplay, he can provide Delhi 2 or 3 early breakthroughs if he gets it right.

Tye’s skills will be on show in the middle overs and it will be a challenge for the Delhi batsmen to pick his knuckleballs which he disguises so very efficiently.