Overview
There is an old maxim in sport – winning is a habit. Looking at Delhi Capitals’ abysmal performance in IPL 2023, it could be said that losing is a habit too. Despite having a good side on paper, Delhi have lost all their five games so far.
As Delhi prepare to take on Kolkata Knight Riders, the think-tank would be pondering how to resurrect their fortunes. Just a mere glimpse at Delhi’s record this season would indicate their batting unit has underperformed. Prithvi Shaw, in particular, has been stuck in quicksand, having notched up just 34 runs. David Warner finds himself at the top of batting charts for Delhi, but his strike-rate of 116.92 doesn’t make for good reading.
It isn’t just the top order that is misfiring. Just to illustrate the point further, Axar Patel is the only batter other than Warner to amass more than 100 runs. Even on the bowling side of things, Delhi have struggled to find someone who can run through the cream of opposition line-ups. Delhi don’t have a single bowler in the list of top 20 wicket-takers for the current season.
Kuldeep Yadav has been the best of the lot, with four wickets at a healthy economy rate of 7.64. Anrich Nortje has bowled a few gritty spells in the slog overs, but has taken only two wickets in the tournament as of now. Just to make matters worse for Delhi, as per a report in The Indian Express, some players found equipment missing from their kits after they returned from Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, Kolkata’s fortunes have largely depended on individual brilliance, which is reflected in the points table – two wins from five matches, slotting in at the 7th position. Venkatesh Iyer has been in blazing form at the top of the order – 234 runs at a strike rate of just over 170. It isn’t just the runs he has scored, but Iyer the sense of adventure with which he has played. Lower down the order, Rinku Singh has made a name for himself with his heroics in the slog, while Shardul Thakur played a brilliant innings against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Perhaps it is time for Kolkata to try the flamboyant Jason Roy as the second opener.
Among the bowlers, the spin duo of Varun Chakravrthy and Sunil Narine would be hoping for a little more grip at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, after bowling on a true pitch at the Wankhede.
Time and Venue
Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. 7.30 PM.
Expected conditions
The humidity is expected to be around 35 per cent. So there shouldn’t be a substantial amount of dew. The track could stay on the lower side and if a bit of dew comes into play, then it could favour the team batting second a little more.
Head-to-head record
Kolkata have won 16 games, with Delhi coming out victorious in 15.
Possible XIs and Impact Player Watch
The out-of-form Prithvi Shaw could be used as an impact player by Delhi. Yash Dhull and Chetan Sakariya could be a couple of other options. Meanwhile, Suyash Sharma or Mandeep Singh might be an impact sub for Kolkata.
Delhi Capitals: David Warner (C), Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan/Yash Dhull, Manish Pandey, Axar Patel, Hakim Khan, Lalit Yadav, Abishek Porel (WK), Kuldeep Yadav, Anrich Nortje, Mustafizur Rahman.
Kolkata Knight Riders: Jason Roy, Venkatesh Iyer, N Jagadeesan (WK), Nitish Rana (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Lockie Fergsuon, Varun Chakravarthy.