IPL 2019: Kolkata Knight Riders probable playing XI against Delhi Capitals
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are one of the only two teams who are unbeaten after the first week of this IPL. They’ve had a couple of high-scoring games but have prevailed in both. What will give them confidence is that they chased down 182 in the one game and then posted a huge total (218) while batting first in another game.
The batting has been good as the likes of Nitish Rana, Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell have stepped up and taken responsibility. The bowling will be a cause of concern but they’ve found a way to pull things back. In their third game, they face Delhi Capitals and this will be their first away game of the season.
Hence, here is the probable XI for the Kolkata Knight Riders for their game against Delhi Capitals.
Chris Lynn hasn’t had the best of starts to the tournament. He’s scored just 17 runs in two innings and has been dismissed very early. However, KKR will want to give Lynn as many opportunities as possible. He is a very destructive player and we all know what he can do. Sunil Narine returned to the top of the order in the last game and blasted out against Varun Chakravarty. He scored 24 off 9 balls before he was dismissed. He has given KKR brisk starts more often than not.
Robin Uthappa has played the anchor’s role really well to kickstart this season. He scored 35 in the first game before hitting a very smart unbeaten 67 in the last game. Meanwhile, Nitish Rana has been brilliant in the last two games. He’s scored excellent half-centuries and has played a big part in both the wins for KKR. Shubman Gill hasn’t really got an opportunity to bat long. Rana’s excellent form means he will have to continue to bat lower down the order. However, in the first game, it was his two sixes in the final over that closed the game for KKR.
Dinesh Karthik has led the side really well. He failed with the bat in the first game and faced just one delivery in the second. But he has reinvented himself as an excellent finisher in white-ball cricket. Andre Russell has been the X-factor and has turned both games single-handedly. The way he’s batted towards the death has taken KKR to winning totals and got them over the line in a run-chase in their opening game. He has a great impact with the ball as well.
Piyush Chawla has bowled decently picking up a wicket in both the games. He brings in a lot of experience and has done well. Meanwhile, it’s rare to see Kuldeep Yadav go wicketless in two successive games. He bowled just two overs in the first game before bowing four overs for 32 in the second. Prasidh Krishna is KKR’s premier Indian pacer. He hasn’t picked up a wicket but has been impressive. Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson has cranked up good pace and has hit the bat hard. He’s been expensive and there is an option in Harry Gurney but KKR will most likely persist with Ferguson.
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