IPL 2018: KXIP vs DD: Pitch prediction and key player battles
DD and KXIP are the only two inaugural teams which haven't been able to make a strong statement in the first decade of IPL. KXIP have a new captain in Ravichandran Ashwin, who will be leading the batting heavy side, while DD will be happy to have Gautam Gambhir back in their team.
Ashwin's tactics along with Sehwag's flair has brought a new flavour to KXIP and they will look forward to a few performances from Yuvraj Singh.
The Daredevils have never won a playoff match and will hope that Gambhir, with his vast experience as a successful captain, will be able to lead them all the way.
Pitch prediction
The Mohali pitch has always offered some support for the fast bowlers initially and also offers good batting conditions in the latter part of the innings.
One can expect the pitch to have minimal grass cover and thereby reducing the assistance to bowlers. DD have some solid fast bowling options with an in-form Boult, Morris and Shami.
Each of them has the ability to make good use of any sort of assistance from the pitch if there is any. KXIP, on the other hand, have only one threatening fast bowler in Andrew Tye who will be assisted by Mohit Sharma, who is only a medium-fast bowler.