IPL 2021: Match 41 – Strongest Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Predicted Playing XI against Delhi Capitals (DC)

After winning the first two matches in the IPL 2021’s UAE Leg, Kolkata Knight Riders finally slipped to a heart-breaking loss against Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Now, they will be facing Delhi Capitals, who have been the second-best in the tournament, going purely by the points table. 

KKR has won four out of their 10 matches and now need a win against Delhi to get their campaign right back on track. Given their last three games are against Hyderabad, Punjab and Rajasthan, this is the biggest challenge they need to cross before the final huddle. 

Here is the predicted XI of KKR against DC: 

1. Openers (Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer)

Shubman Gill will be disappointed with his run-out in the last match. Through this season, he has looked extremely good whatever time he has spent on the crease. However, he has given away his wicket or got out without making it really count right through this tournament. Against CSK, it was just another one of those innings. 

His opening partner, Venkatesh Iyer, finally had an average game. He made 18 from 15 balls against CSK. He enjoys playing at pace and it would be interesting to see how he tackles the challenge of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje. He also bowled an over in the previous match and would be interesting to see if he is used regularly from here on. 

2. Middle-order (Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik) 

Rahul Tripathi continued his good form and scored a handsome 45 runs from 33 balls. He has been looking solid this season and would look to continue scoring runs. Nitish Rana finally got some runs and most importantly time in the middle. His knock of 38 runs was crucial, but batting lower down the order, KKR expected him to bat at a higher strike rate. 

Eoin Morgan’s form this year has been quite strange and he hasn’t looked in control whatsoever. He has failed to put together a good knock for his IPL as well. A few more poor knocks might then start a conservation about his form. Karthik seems to be doing just what is assigned to do. His cameo against CSK in the previous match was important for both him and KKR going forwards.

3. All-rounders (Sunil Narine and Andre Russell)

Sunil Narine bowled a terrific spell of 3 for 41 against CSK and almost led his team to a win. He would be a threat against the Delhi batters while his batting might also come in handy in the middle overs.

Andre Russell limped off the ground in the previous match and didn’t bowl his fourth over. There is a bit of concern with his fitness, but if he is cleared to play, he will make it to the XI. If by chance he misses, Ben Cutting or Shakib Al Hasan will replace him. 

4. Bowlers (Prasidh Krishna, Lockie Ferguson, and Varun Chakravarthy)

Varun Chakravarthy continued his fairytale rise in stature with another good performance against CSK. He bowled a tight spell of four overs, conceding only 22 runs and picking up a wicket. Lockie Ferguson also has taken his game to another level with quality performances. He ended with figures of 1 for 33 in his four overs. 

Prasidh Krishna’s over was a game-changer in the previous match and not in a good way for KKR. After bowling a spell of 1 for 19 in his first three overs, Krishna lost the plot in the penultimate over, conceding 22 runs. An over like that can be demoralizing for a bowler. However, KKR has backed his ability so far and it shouldn’t change now.