IPL 9 Match 7, Preview: DD, KXIP in search of their first win

The Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi will host its first game of the season as it prepares to welcome home team Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab. For the record, both teams began their campaign on a losing note. KXIP lost in their den to IPL debutants Gujarat Lions while the Delhi side surrendered to the KKR in a highly lopsided contest. A win for one of the either sides is surely guaranteed but more importantly it would be a chance for both the teams to gather the momentum for the rest of the tournament.

Delhi Daredevils:

The sorry story for Delhi Daredevil continued in the fresh season too. The side is full of young and promising names who have been doing extremely well in their respective domestic and international games. But, strangely and for some unexplainable reason, they have been unable to put things together and win games. Quinton de Kock has had a great time whenever he plays in India. In the last game too he was off to a start but lost his wicket due to over-aggression. If he wipes out this minor flaw, then we may see a cracker of a knock from him.

Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, and Mayank Agarwal are also equally talented and must forget about the last game and start afresh. A strong performance at the top will give power hitters like Chris Morris and Carlos Braithwaite opportunity to play their natural game and push the score to a formidable level. All-rounder JP Duminy is still uncertain due to his injury. The bowling attack led by skipper Zaheer Khan is still untested. The pitch is expected to be dry and slow which can make Zaheer opt for Imran Tahir along with left-arm spinner Pawan Negi and Amit Mishra while leaving out Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Kings XI Punjab:

Kings XI Punjab can be termed favorites simply because the side looks far superior-on-paper. Unlike Delhi, the Punjab side had a lot of positive to work on despite losing to the Lions. The openers Murali Vijay and the young Manan Vohra looked in great touch but lost their wickets after reaching good scores. Both will surely want to make up for it in the upcoming game. Skipper David Miller and Glenn Maxwell looked sluggish in the opening game will be the men to watch out for.

A fit-again Shaun Marsh comes into the playing XI, adding strength to the batting order. Marcus Stoinis, who came in as a replacement for Marsh in the previous game, will retain his place after an impressive all-round performance in the last game. Seam-bowling all-rounder Rishi Dhawan may replace Mohit Sharma. Axar Patel’s style of bowling suits the conditions perfectly and can turn out to be the impact bowler for the Punjab side.

Probable XI:

Delhi Daredevils:

Mayank Agarwal, Quinton de Kock (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, Carlos Brathwaite, Pawan Negi, Chris Morris, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan (C), Imran Tahir

Kings XI Punjab:

Murali Vijay, Manan Vohra, David Miller (C), Glenn Maxwell, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Mohit Sharma/Rishi Dhawan, Axar Patel, Mitchell Johnson, Pardeep Sahu, Sandeep Sharma

Stat attack

1. Nine of the last ten IPL matches at the Feroz Shah Kotla have been won by the team batting second.

2. These two teams brought up the rear in IPL 2015, with Daredevils finishing seventh on the table and Kings XI eighth.

3. If Amit Mishra plays today, it will be his 100th IPL game.

Who should you pick in your fantasy team for the match? – IPL 2016: Fantasy Championship guide DD v KXIP