When Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils meet today in Delhi, both will feel confident of a victory considering other team has been on losing streat. Both have lost their last matches to resurgent Royal Challengers Bangalore. A week’s break might help KKR to start afresh, but Kings XI will tell the tale on how DD is not another pushover, although their position in points table force many to believe so.
History
Both have met 6 times in the last three editions. But in this edition, being placed in different groups they will play only one group match, and can meet again only if both reach Knockout, which is highly unlikely. They have seen one match abandoned between them whereas in remaining 5 matches DD leads KKR 3-2.
2011 Performances
The Knights lost the first match again Chennai Super Kings, which they should have won, while won the close match against Deccan Chargers at home. Playing back-to-back matches against Rajasthan Royals, they first won the away match chasing a record total, and then ridiculed the Royals batsmen in the Home game. But, against Kochi Tuskers their batsmen could not even chase a target of 132. In the last match, ex-Kinght Gayle-force marooned KKR with a century.
Delhi Daredevils had their own problem. First Mumbai Indians sent them to school by blowing them away with Malinga Special that led DD score their second below 100 score in IPL. When it appeared against Royals they will have some clue, Warne’s boys also scored clinical thumping victory. Being at bottom, when hopes were about to shatter completely, Daredevils registered emphatic victory over tournament topper Pune Warriors India. But against Deccan Chargers, they played an ordinary game and lost due to poor bowling. But against the rampant Kings XI, DD won the high-scoring match. But, when they were expected to surge ahead, they lost the see-saw battle against RCB.
Player’s Performance in 2011
KKR Player’s performance index shows comparatively better batting performance as they have 3 batsmen scoring above 100 runs, and Yusuf set to enter the 100-club. KKR’s bowling unit has been more effective taking 30 wickets in 6 matches, barring the slaughter by Gayle.
For Delhi, player’s performance index is showing improvement. Warner is in the 200-club, while in-consistent form Venugopal has got Sehwag as company in 100-run club now. Jamesh is hopping around 100-club now. Other batsmen are still to give good scores. Their bowlers have been disappointing so far, with just 26 wickets taken in 6 matches.
Head-to-Head: DD 3, KKR 2
2008
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KKR def DD by Lost 23 R
No Result
2009
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DD def KKR by 9 Wickets
DD def KKR by 7 Wickets
2010
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DD def KKR by 40 Runs
KKR def DD by 14 Runs
IPL Performances
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 abandaoned match also. In 2009 they won 9 and lost only 7.
KKR has never reached the knockout. In 2008 they had 6 Win, 7 Losses, 1 No Result against DD. In 2009 they Won 3, Lost 10 and again had 1 No Result. In 2010 they had the best performance with 7 Wins and 7 Losses.
Overall Performance
Till 2010, DD has won 23 and lost 21, with one match ending in no result. Now, after 5 matches in 2011, DD has won 25 and lost 24. KKR has one of the worst record of last 3-editions with 16 Wins, 24 Losses and 2 No Result.
Who Will Win Today!!
Both team will play their 7th match and is set to touch the half-way mark on a high-note. KKR wants to overcome the streak of 2 consecutive losses and take their winning tally to 4 matches that will lift them to 2nd/3rd position in the points table. Delhi has no clue why they have lost 4 but won only 2, although they have good batting line up. The green tinge on Kotla may give their bowling line-up of pacers hope to succeed, although the green pitch did not help against RCB.
Batting is almost equally balanced, although KKR appear more balanced. KKR bowling is also more successful than highly unsuccessful DD bowlers.
Sehwag and Gambhir, both have failed so far as captain to create winning decisions for their team. Considering the better batting, bowling and fielding of KKR so far, DD will create an upset if they manage a win against KKR today.
Key Battles
Gambhir vs DD
It is the season of ex-team players. Gambhir is already in good nick and with Kotla being his home ground, he is set to play the match-winning role as captain and batsman both. If Sehwag and bowlers can stop him, they will have won half the battle.
Sehwag vs Brett Lee and Co
Sehwag loves when balls comes fast on his bat. Brett Lee is not the type of bowler who gets threatened. The contest between these two will be important for both the teams. If Sehwag bats for 10 overs, KKR can start packing before the match completes. Gambhir would surely not risk living Brett Lee again after the disaster against RCB.
Yusuf Pathan vs James Hopes
They are the key players for their teams, who succeed when entire team fails and single-handedly can win the matches with bat and ball both. With Hopes promotion to number 3, he has showed how dangerous he can be. Yusuf Pathan needs no introduction. If he can get some time to spend on crease with bat, Sehwag and Gambhir, and others, can turn into spectators.
DD Squad
Batsman: Sehwag (Captain), Aaron Finch, Colin Ingram, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Naman Ojha (WK)
Allrounder: Travis Birt, Robert Frylinck, James Hopes, Irfan Pathan, Venugopal Rao
Bowlers: Morne Morkel, Andrew McDonald, Roelof van der Merwe, Ajit Agarkar, Varun Aaron, Robin Bist, Unmukt Chand, Ajit Chandila, Ashok Dinda, Shahbaz Nadeem, Yogesh Nagar, Prashant Naik, Rajesh Pawar, Aavishkar Salvi, Sridharan Sriram, Vikas Mishra, Tejashwi Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Vivek Yadav
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad
Batsman: Gautam Gambhir (Captain), Brad Haddin (WK), Eoin Morgan, Manvinder Bisla, Shreevats Goswami, Laxmi Shukla, Manoj Tiwary,
Allrounder: Jacques Kallis, Ryan ten Doeschate, Shakib Al Hasan, Yusuf Pathan,
Bowlers: Brett Lee, James Pattinson, Pradeep Sangwan, Jaidev Unadkat, Shami Ahmed, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Rajat Bhatia, Sarabjit Ladda, Iqbal Abdulla
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