IPL 2022: Match 41 – Predicted Delhi Capitals Playing XI vs Kolkata Knight Riders

DC lost by 15 runs in the last fixture.

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Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders
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The Delhi Capitals (DC) will be up against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the second time this season in their next contest of IPL 2022 scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

One of the most experienced teams on paper, the Delhi Capitals (DC) have underperformed in the IPL 2022 with only three wins in seven league matches. Although the openers have done well, the team is struggling to find the right contribution from the middle-order and the expensive economy of the bowlers. The team is certainly in dire need of consistent performances from their key players to keep their hopes alive for the playoffs.

In their last outing, they lost by 15 runs against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in an average performance from the bowling unit, who conceded 200+ runs. In their next league match, DC will be up against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and would look to bounce back in the tournament. The team is expected to include the likes of Chetan Sakariya and KS Bharat in the playing XI, both of them did well in the last edition.

Here’s a look at the Delhi Capitals’ predicted XI against KKR:

Openers: Prithvi Shaw and David Warner

The form of the opening duo of Prithvi Shaw and David Warner has been the most positive thing for the Capitals this season. After the return of Warner, both the players have stitched crucial partnerships to help the team in getting a stable start in the previous games.

Shaw has once again been sensational this season with his ability to pierce the gaps in the powerplay overs. In seven innings, he has garnered 254 runs at an impressive strike rate of 164.93 and a top score of 61. In the last fixture, he contributed 37 off 27 balls, which laid a platform for the Capitals while chasing a mammoth target of 223.

The Australian top-order batter Warner joined the team late but is soon catching up with his opening partner, Shaw. In five innings, he has amassed 219 runs at a strike rate of 157.55. He scored a quickfire 28 off 14 balls in the last appearance against the Royals.

Middle Order: Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Rovman Powell, KS Bharat

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

After a good start by the openers, the middle order will be vital in steering the team to a strong score. The captain Rishabh Pant has scored 188 runs in seven appearances at a strike rate of 154.09 but has not looked at his natural best. On some occasions, he has given away his wicket out of frustration while being unable to score runs at a brisk rate. In the last game, Pant contributed 44 off 24 balls and would now want to convert his starts into a big one in the upcoming games.

The Caribbean middle-order batter, Rovman Powell was awarded a contract with DC in 2022 after his splendid performance in the series against England. Although, he hasn’t contributed much, scoring only 67 runs in seven innings. In the last game against Rajasthan Royals, he slammed 36 off 15 balls, with three consecutive sixes, which would keep him upbeat ahead of the fixture.

The backup option for the wicket-keeping role, KS Bharat was impressive in the IPL 2021 for RCB with 191 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 122.43. He can be included in place of Sarfaraz Khan in the Playing XI due to the latter’s bad form in the tournament and the team’s dire need of a reliable batter in the middle-order.

All-rounders: Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

The team’s all-rounders have done well, but are yet to deliver their best performance. After terrific performances from Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur in the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians (MI), they have certainly fizzled out, barring Yadav.

Yadav has scored 112 runs and has picked up four wickets in the ongoing season. He has been particularly impressive in most of the matches with an economy rate of 7.38. In the last game against the Royals, he scored 37 off 24 balls, which certainly helped the team to get closer to the opposition’s score.

On the contrary, the other two have been disappointing with their performances. In seven appearances, Thakur has 80 runs and four wickets, while Patel has 79 runs and three wickets. Both the players need to bring in their A-game to lead the way for the team’s win in this encounter.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya

Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)

The DC bowlers have gone for plenty in this season, but there have been a few positives for the team in the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Mustafizur Rahman. The wrist-spinner, Kuldeep has scalped 13 wickets in seven appearances and regained his form, but is giving away runs at an economy of 8.47, which is certainly a worrying sign for the team.

The Bangladesh pacer Rahman has featured in six matches and picked up five wickets at an economy of 7.87. However, he finished with figures of 43/1 in the last game and has a scope for improvement.

The left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed was tonked in the last game by the Royals and can make the way for the talented youngster Chetan Sakariya. Sakariya had featured for the Royals in the last season and picked up 14 wickets in 14 games. In the second half of this season, Sakariya can turn out to be a valuable bowler owing to his variations.

DC’s predicted playing XI for KKR’s clash: Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Rovman Powell, KS Bharat, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mustafizur Rahman, Chetan Sakariya.

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