IPL 2021 Match 25 DC vs KKR Preview – Team News, Probable XI & More

IPL 2021 Match 25: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders Preview

Match Details

Date: 29 April 2021

Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Live Ball-by-Ball Commentary: SportsTiger App

Preview:

It's time for another double header in the Indian Premier League this Thursday and after Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals would have had their contest on a 3:30 pm (IST) start, the action will shift to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad where the Delhi Capitals will be up against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the evening. While Delhi are sitting comfortably in the top-half of the points tally with 8 points from 6 matches, Kolkata have four from their six matches.

However, let's add a little masala to this contest- while DC lost their previous match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Knights are coming on the back of a win over Punjab Kings. Confidence can do wonders to a team especially in this format and fueled by just that KKR would fancy their chances against Delhi in Ahmedabad. But Delhi shouldn't press the panic button as yet as there were plenty of positives they could take from their previous match and who knows that can perhaps work to their advantage in the tournament ahead. With the stage set for a blockbuster, expect Delhi and Kolkata to produce another high-voltage cricketing encounter.

Team News

Delhi Capitals:

Despite the defeat, don't see too many changes happening in the Delhi squad. Steve Smith hasn't been at his best in the tournament so far but is likely to retain his place in the XI. Meanwhile, Anrich Nortje hasn't really got a game this season but seems unlikely to play a match given Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan and Kagiso Rabada are forming a formidable trio for the team.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

Despite their horror they stuck with the same XI and registered a win against Punjab Kings. This suggests that they are backing the players they are believing in and could do the same implying that shouldn't be any changes for this game as well unless conditions or fitness demands so. Will Shakib Al Hasan come back into the XI, we would have to wait and see.

Head-to-head

Matches played: 25

Delhi Capitals: 11

Kolkata Knight Riders: 14

Key Players

Prithvi Shaw:

Delhi Capitals opener Prithvi Shaw has looked in great nick even when he hasn't scored too many runs but has found a way to get out. Learning from his mistake, he would be keen on playing a big innings and taking his team to a strong position from where the big hitters like Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer can follow. He has been in good scoring form and it looks to be a mental adjustment that he might need to do for a longer innings.

Shubman Gill:

It has been an extended lean run for the youngster now but with mentor David Hussey believing in him and even going on to say that he would be one of the leading run getters of the tournament this season, expect Gill to live up to the confidence in him by such senior statesman. With Gill, one just gets the feeling that he is just a few hits away before he can find his form and if that comes in early, he will be a delight.

Avesh Khan:

In a team with pacers like Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Marcus Stoinis, it is Avesh Khan who is quietly building his reputation as a wicket-taker. Watch out for Avesh yet again in this match as players might look to target him. However, given his consistency with his line and length he hasn't been difficult to get away and hence so effective.

Probable Playing XI

Delhi Capitals:

Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Steven Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan