After an exhilarating contest yesterday between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, tournament’s two other bigwigs — Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kings XI Punjab will face each other in the second game of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In what could be a thrilling contest, Shreyas Iyer-led side will look to start the contest on a winning note and better themselves this edition. Delhi came with a brilliant display of superlative performances last year, making it to the playoffs.
The side boast some powerful hitters — Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw and Rishabh Pant — and the addition of Ajinkya Rahane in the side will add depth to their line-up in the middle overs. In the bowling front, the Delhi team has an edge over Punjab with the troika of an experienced R Ashwin, Amit Mishra and Axar Patel in the spin department. In fast bowling they have veteran Ishant Sharma and one of the best pacer in the world, Kagiso Rabada in their kitty.
For Kings XI Punjab, their fortune could take an upswing with the return of Glenn Maxwell. Add Chrish Gayle and KL Rahul into the mix, the Punjab team becomes a force to reckon with. However, Gayle’s power seems to have diminished but it would be a mistake to discount him at any stage of the tournament.
On the bowling front, Punjab side looks slightly iffy. They lack of good bowling options in the spin department which rely upon Krishnappa Gowtham and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman should be a matter of concern for the team, if conditions in UAE is anything to go by.
Kings XI Punjab Squad
KL Rahul (C), Karun Nair, Mohammed Shami, Nicholas Pooran, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Hardus Viljoen, Darshan Nalkande, Sarfaraz Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Murugan Ashwin, K Gowtham, J Suchith, Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell, Deepak Hooda, Ishan Porel, Ravi Bishnoi, James Neesham, Chris Jordan, Tajinder Dhillon, Prabhsimran Singh, Agnivesh Ayachi, Harpreet Brar, Murugan Ashwin.
Delhi Capitals Squad
Shreyas Iyer (C), Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Anrich Nortje, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kagiso Rabada, Keemo Paul, Mohit Sharma, Lalit Yadav, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Ravi Ashwin, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Sams, Rishabh Pant, Alex Carey, Shimron Hetmyer and Tushar Deshpande.
Ideal playing XI (Punjab)
- KL Rahul (C,wk)
- Chris Gayle
- Mayank Agarwal ✈
- Glenn Maxwell ✈
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Mandeep Singh
- K Gowtham
- Mohammed Shami
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman ✈
- Chris Jordan ✈
- Ishan Porel.
Ideal playing XI (Delhi)
- Shikhar Dhawan
- Prithvi Shaw
- Shreyas Iyer (C)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Shimron Hetmyer ✈
- R Ashwin
- Ishant Sharma
- Kagiso Rabada ✈
- Sandeep Lamichhane ✈
- Amit Mishra.
Fantasy XI
KL Rahul (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Glenn Maxwell (VC), Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane, Shimron Heymyer, Mohammed Shami, Kagiso Rabada, R Ashwin, Chris Jordan, Amit Mishra
Players to watch out for
- For KXIP: Glenn Maxwell, Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami
- For DC: Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane, Kagiso Rabada, Prithvi Shaw
Head to Head
- Played – 24
- DC won – 10
- KXIP won – 14
- No result – 0
- Tie – 0
Match Prediction
DC will win the match. Despite Kings XI Punjab’s overall dominace, Delhi look a better balanced team between the two, owing to their bowling attack. They have experiences campaigners — Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada and R Ashwin — who can topple any opposition on their day.
- Match: Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Kings XI Punjab (KXIP)
- Date: 20th September, 2020
- Venue: At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Time: 7:30 PM (IST)
Also Read: IPL 2020: ‘We have a very balanced squad,’ says Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting
