Predicting Kolkata Knight Riders’ Playing XI for their encounter against Delhi Capitals

The Delhi Capitals (DC) will square off against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Visakhapatnam in the 16th match of IPL 2024. Both teams come into this game on the back of victories in the last game. KKR dominated their last match against RCB, winning by a big margin of 7 wickets with 19 balls to spare. DC also did perform up to the mark in their previous game, toppling the current leader’s CSK by 20 runs.  

Right now, KKR sits comfortably in second place in the standings after just 2 games played. DC, on the other hand, needs a win to climb out of seventh place, having lost 2 out of their 3 matches so far. It is set to be a mouth-watering clash between two exciting teams of the IPL. 

KKR have had a great IPL so far and will be looking to carry on the momentum in the next match against Delhi as well. Let’s have a sneak peek into KKR’s probable playing XI against DC. 

Top Order 

1. Phil Salt 

Phil Salt initially was unsold in the IPL auctions but was roped into the KKR squad after Jason Roy pulled out of the IPL. Although he was not in KKR’s initial plans he managed to make a mark in the initial two matches for KKR. He scored a quick-fire half-century in the 1st match and got a start in the 2nd match. He is also taking care of the wicketkeeping duties for KKR. 

2. Sunil Narine 

Sunil Narine has been one of the most influential players for KKR. Apart from his world-class bowling skills for which he is renowned, Narine also opens for KKR as a pinch hitter. It is a move that has paid dividends to KKR in the past and the last match as well, it worked out very well for KKR as Narine got KKR off to flyer against RCB thus making short work of the target.

 3. Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer is another find of KKR who has contributed immensely with his explosive batting at the top. Iyer is also a proven opener in T20s which provides KKR with a cushion if the experiment with Sunil Narine fails. He delivered in the last match against KKR with a scintillating half-century. 

Middle-Order 

1. Shreyas Iyer 

KKR’s captain Shreyas Iyer is the vital cog of KKR’s batting line-up. He has the role to play the anchor role in the team while the other batters will bat around him in the team. He is a very good player of spin and KKR would like him to dominate the spinner in the middle overs. 

 2. Ramandeep Singh

Ramandeep Singh is another talented batter who will take the duty of going bonkers in the middle order. He is an aggressive player by nature, a glimpse of which he gave in the first match against SRH. KKR would like him to come big in this season. 

3. Andre Russell 

Andre Russell has been the most valuable player for KKR to date. The West Indies all-rounder is a ferocious hitter of the cricket ball and is known for changing the course of the match on its head. Apart from his batting prowess, he can also be a game-changer with the ball as well as he has the knack of taking crucial wickets at difficult junctures. 

4. Rinku Singh 

Rinku Singh has in the past year earned his name as one of the best finishers going around in international cricket. His 5 sixes in the last over to Yash Dayal is a part of IPL folklore. KKR are betting high on Rinku Singh to come good and harbour them home from difficult situations, something for which he’s known. 

5. Mitchell Starc 

KKR purchased Mitchell Starc for a whopping 25 crore which made him the most expensive player in IPL history to date. However, his performance in the initial two games has been dismal as he has been expensive with the ball and hasn’t picked up a wicket yet. KKR would be hopeful that Starc comes back to bowling fireballs, something which he is known for. 

6. Anukul Roy

KKR squad is full of spin talent and Anukul Roy is one of them. The left-arm orthodox from Jharkhand bowled well in the last match, giving only 6 runs in 2 overs. KKR would expect him to bowl on similar lines and not leak many runs in the middle overs. 

7. Varun Chakaravarthy

Varun Chakaravarthy has been a proven performer for KKR in the past. His mystery right-arm leg break has bamboozled batters in the past and KKR would expect him to repeat his past performances. However, he didn’t have a good game against RCB, but he is very well capable of bouncing back against DC. 

8. Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana was one of KKR’s finds of the year. He bowled well last season but this season he has impressed everyone with his variations and aggression. He single-handedly changed the course of KKR’s first match against SRH by defending 7 runs off 5 balls from Heinrich Klassen. It was a fantastic effort from the youngsters’ end and KKR would love him to carry on his excellent form with the ball.

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