KKR vs DC IPL 2024 Preview: Kolkata Look to Bounce Back to Winning Ways and Do the Double Over Delhi

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have had a mixed bag of results in their run of home games with two wins and two losses. As they prepare to take on Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Eden Gardens in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Monday, the home side will hope to return to winning ways.

KKR outplayed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) but lost to Rajasthan Royals on the last ball, beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by the barest of margins and then saw Punjab Kings (PBKS) chase down a record total in T20 cricket.

KKR have 10 points from eight matches and still sit second in the points table. DC also have 10 points but are fifth with a poorer net run rate and have played 10 games.

The Knights are still well-placed to qualify for the playoffs with the best net run rate among all the teams, whereas the Capitals would want to capitalize on their momentum.

KKR and DC have faced off 33 times in the IPL, with the Knights having a slight advantage with 17 wins. In their last five meetings, DC have managed to beat KKR thrice.

Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024

KKR Team News

Sunil Narine has been the best player not only for KKR but in the whole competition. Be it with the bat or the ball and even in the field, as he showcased with a direct-hit run-out, the Trinidadian all-rounder has done it all.

Narine has scored 357 runs, including a hundred, at an average of 44.63 and an astounding strike rate of 184.2 in eight games. He also has taken 10 wickets at a miserly economy of 6.96.

With most teams relying less on all-rounders, with the Impact Sub-rule in effect, Narine is not only an outliner but a player who is still in the running for the Orange Cap as well as the Purple Cap.

Narine’s opening partner Phil Salt has also scored the runs for KKR at the top with the likes of skipper Shreyas Iyer, and Venkatesh Iyer have stood up when needed but have failed too. The trio of Andre Russell, Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh have had to come in the end and have scored impressed too.

Russell and Harshit Rana have picked up nine wickets each and have been expensive. Varun Chakaravarthy, who has eight wickets to name, has been costly too. Mitchell Starc, who caught a stud to his bowling hand, may be out as his replacement Dushmantha Chameera too has leaked runs without looking threatening.

KKR Playing XI vs DC

Phil Salt (WK), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Shreyas Iyer (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Dushmantha Chameera, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Anukul Roy (SUB)

DC Team News

Rishabh Pant’s return to competitive cricket after 14 months has been nothing short of a miracle. His batting though has proved that nothing seems amiss for the star wicket-keeper since his fateful accident.

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s intent at the top has been a revelation, with a strike rate of 237.50, as he has bludgeoned all bowlers alike. Tristan Stubbs at the end with an average of 68.25 has been consistently making runs to help DC finish strong.

Axar Patel has scored runs in multiple batting positions and with the ball, has chipped in with the wickets too.

The trio of Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav and Khaleel Ahmed are high up in the wicket-taking charts, crediting wins for DC with the ball.

DC Playing XI vs KKR

Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kumar Kushagra, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (C & WK), Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Lizaad Williams, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Rasikh Dar (SUB)

KKR vs DC Pitch Report

The pitch at Eden Gardens has been a batting paradise akin to the Red Road nearby. Bowlers have found themselves at their wits’ end. Add the fact that dew is \expected to play a part in the evening, and winning the toss may become imperative.