IPL 2017, KXIP vs DD: 5 winning factors
IPL has always witnessed something special when it comes to matches between teams languishing at the bottom half of the table. Similar action, thrill and entertainment is expected when Kings XI Punjab will host Delhi Daredevils at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Sunday.
Both the teams are coming into this match after being beaten comprehensively in their previous matches and hence will be desperate to get back to winning ways in this match.
The last time these two teams met each other in Delhi, the home team registered a comprehensive victory by 51 runs over the visitors. However, it is the KXIP side, which is in a better position in the points table, being placed at No. 6 with six points to their name.
Delhi, on the other hand, have a lot of improvements to make as they are languishing right at the bottom of the table with four points to their name.
There are a lot of factors that will determine the side that is going to come out on top on Sunday. Let us now have a look at those factors which will be very vital for the two teams to emerge victorious-
#1) With the bat
Kings XI Punjab’s batting line-up looks much stronger than that of Delhi Daredevils on paper. However, like the previous couple of seasons, their middle order has again underperformed and disappointed. While the batsmen have had their individual moments of brilliance with the bat in the tournament so far, their inability to stitch partnerships has cost them dearly.
When there are players like Hashim Amla, Martin Guptill, Eoin Morgan, Glenn Maxwell and David Miller in a squad, then it can be safely said that they will be tough to beat even for the best bowlers in the world. However, all of them have been huge disappointments except Hashim Amla.
The domestic batsmen haven’t been in best of forms either. Although Manan Vohra impressed in the initial part of the tournament, Wriddhiman Saha has had a lean patch since the start. This KXIP side has huge batting potential on paper but they need to transform it onto the field.
Delhi Daredevils, on the other hand, have a potent yet inexperienced batting line-up. Their top-order is mostly made up of young domestic Indian players and they end up being on the losing side because of their inability to maintain the tempo in the middle of the innings.
Moreover, there has been some mismanagement in batting order also. Delhi has constantly stuck with an out of form player like Karun Nair when there are other deserving players sitting on the fringes. Moreover, a player like Rishabh Pant deserves to bat at the top instead of batting at No.5.
And when it comes to hard-hitting all-rounders like Corey Anderson and Chris Morris, they should be batting no less than No.4 and 5. The reason is simply because Delhi lose the plot in middle overs and experience of both these players will count a lot.
So, from the batting perspective, it can be said that KXIP have an edge over DD, simply because of their experience.