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IPL 2021 preview: Can Kolkata Knght Riders inconsistent batting overcome Delhi Capitals' lethal starpower?

This is the 14th season of the fruitful Indian Premier League. Delhi Capitals is the runner-up from last season and would aim to win its maiden title in IPL 2021. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders has won it on a couple of occasions before but hasn't fired ever since.

IPL 2021, Match 25: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders (DC vs KKR) preview-ayh
Author
Ahmedabad, First Published Apr 28, 2021, 7:25 PM IST

The Indian Premier League 2021 is coming up with thrills and surprises every now and then. In the same hope, Match 25 would witness a clash between Delhi Capitals and former champion Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

DC is the runner-up from last season and shows promising signs to clinch its maiden title this term. As for KKR, despite winning two titles before, it has struggled considerably of late and has a mountain to scale to present itself as a proper title contender. In the same light, we offer the match preview.

Current form
Both the sides have played six games so far and there is a contrast between the two. DC has won four and along with a couple of losses, it is third in the table. As for KKR, it has lost four, while with two wins, it is placed fifth.

Team combination
As for the teams of both, DC has a balanced side. However, with more capped talents in the batting, DC would be aiming all about high scores. Furthermore, the reigning form of opener Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Rishabh Pant will make its batting even enjoyable.

Meanwhile, KKR has a tide bowling-heavy side, while with balanced recruits in all departments, KKR would rely on its bowling to outlast the lethal DC batting.

Injury concerns
KKR does not have any injury concerns. As for DC, it would be without all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who is on a break owing to the country's COVID situation and concerns.

Head-to-head
In the 27 head-on clashes between the two, KKR has won 14, while DC has won 12. Of the 26 IPL games, KKR leads 14-11, while of the 21 matches in India, KKR leads 13-7. It would be their maiden clash in Ahmedabad.

Follow all IPL 2021 updates here

IPL 2021, Match 25: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders (DC vs KKR) preview-ayh

Weather and pitch report
The weather in Ahmedabad would again be hot, with a temperature of 42 degrees and 24% humidity. As for the track, it would remain slow, while the dew factor could come into play and the team winning the toss is likely to bowl first.

Probable XI
DC:
Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma and Avesh Khan.
KKR: Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan (c), Andre Russell, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Pat Cummins, Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna and Varun Chakravarthy.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen:
Dhawan (c), Rana, Tripathi, Shaw- Dhawan and Rana are the men to give the right start, while the former's deadly form makes him the skipper. As Shaw is sure to fire at number three, Tripathi can do the same at number four.
Wicketkeepers: Karthik, Pant- While Karthik has been doing great with the bat of late in the middle, Pant has been highly consistent in the same spot.
All-rounder: Russell- A no-brainer who can be highly effective and economical with his pace bowling, while he can go all guns blazing with the bat with his atomic hits as a finisher.
Bowlers: Cummins, Avesh (vc), Krishna, Chakravarthy- Cummins, Avesh and Krishna have been consistently delivering with their pace, as Avesh's correspondence makes him the deputy skipper. Meanwhile, Chakravarthy has been highly reliable with his spin and is sure to be productive.

Match details
Date and day:
April 29, 2021 (Thursday)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Time: 7.30 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Hotstar

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