IPL 2014 Match 6 Preview: Unless a Miracle Happens, KKR is a Clear Winner

Going by their first match of IPL 2014, choosing the winner between Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders is not difficult. In the absence of Pietersen, DD appear weak. Their batting has no depth. When they will face one of the best bowling side of the tournament their batsmen can face more questions. KKR on the other hand can thank Kallis and unexpected Manish Pandey to get them out of jail from a sureshot defeat. Generally, as a team both have share a close fight. But going by the revamped teams, KKR certainly has the decisive edge. Unless Pietersen returns, Kolkata can easily ride home in their second match too.

IPL 2014 Schedule and Results

History
Both have met 12 times in the last five editions. With a match abandoned between them, KKR leads 6-5.

Head-to-Head: KKR 6, DD 5
2008

KKR def DD by Lost 23 R
No Result

2009

DD def KKR by 9 Wickets
DD def KKR by 7 Wickets

2010

DD def KKR by 40 Runs
KKR def DD by 14 Runs

2011

KKR def DD 17 runs

2012

DD def KKR by 8 wkts
KKR def DD by 6 wkts
KKR def CSK def DD in Qualifier 1 by 12 runs

2013

KKR won by 6 wickets, MOM: Narine
DD won by 7 wkts, MOM: Warner

IPL Past Performances

2013 was the worst year of once considered strong Daredevils team. DD has reached semifinal in 2008 and 2009, but failed to complete a hattrick of semifinals in 2010. In 2008 and 2010 they won 7 and lost 7 matches, but in 2008 they have one abandoned match also. In 2009 they won 9 and lost only 7. In 2011, they finished at the bottom with 4 wins and 9 losses. But in 2012 they bounced back by going on top of the table to enter knockout, but the result there was again same as they failed to enter the final even in their third attempt. In 2013 they provided the worst record by a team in any edition, winning only 3 matches, losing 13.
DD has won 42, lost 41, with two matches producing no result, still a positive winning rate.
KKR on the other hand has 43 wins and lost 46 with 3 no results, one each against DD, CSK and DC.

Verdict
After losing three matches in a row to KKR, DD finally won one match in the last IPL. Incidentally that was the last time they won a match in IPL. Since then they have lost 7 matches, including the first match of IPL 2014. If Pietersen does not play and Karthik still continue to be the clueless captain, then Duminy alone cannot save DD from the strong bowling of KKR. For KKR the challenge is to post a good total. Gambhir and others may benefit from the weak bowling of DD. Overall, it is a KKRs win unless they play too bad.