The 42nd match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will see Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday (October 24).
In their last meeting, DC had registered a comprehensive 18-run victory over KKR and the Shreyas Iyer-led side are also looking in better shape this time around, having won 7 of their 10 games.
On the other hand, KKR are holding the fourth spot in the eight-team points table, with 5 victories from 10 matches.
However, both the teams have suffered losses in their last outings and will look to bounce back during the showdown in Abu Dhabi. For this, they ought to pick the right players in their line-ups.
Therefore, Team COC presents to you the Predicted Playing XIs for the Kolkata Knight Riders versus Delhi Capitals match.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Considering the fact that they managed to post only 84/8 in their last fixture against RCB, KKR will have a big task on their hands facing the robust DC attack.
Despite their inconsistent showing, Shubman Gill and Rahul Tripathi are likely to open the innings followed by Nitish Rana. Current skipper Eoin Morgan and ex-captain Dinesh Karthik will hold the key in the middle-order while Sunil Narine is expected to replace Tom Banton in the playing XI as the former allows the team to go with an extra bowler or batsman as per the requirement
Coming to the bowling attack, Pat Cummins should continue to lead the pace attack alongside Lockie Ferguson and Prasidh Krishna.
With the pitches in UAE getting slower in the second half of the tournament, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy should retain their places in the line-up as premier spinners.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
DC may have coped a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Kings XI Punjab in their last fixture, but the table-toppers are unlikely to tweak their combination except for Anrich Nortje’s return to the playing XI.
The pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw will continue to open the innings followed by skipper Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. Shimron Hetmyer might not have registered a big score this season but he has looked in good touch and is likely to retain his place in the playing XI.
Marcus Stoinis is playing the role of an all-rounder brilliantly and he is certain to be in the team against KKR.
Bowling wise, DC have a very good mix of spinners and pacers. Ravichandran Ashwin and Akshar Patel have done exceptionally well in Delhi’s success so far and the duo will continue to be a part of the spin attack.
Anrich Nortje, who was rested in the last game, is likely to replace Daniel Sams in the playing XI and the former will be complemented by Kagiso Rabada and Tushar Deshpande in the pace department.
Kolkata Knight Riders COC Predicted Playing XI:
Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (c), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy
Delhi Capitals COC Predicted Playing XI:
Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akshar Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tushar Deshpande
