IPL Match Prediction: DD to bank on home conditions, but KXIP should get their first win of the tournament

TWO BELEGEAURED TEAMS in Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab will lock horns against each other at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium today. Both sides have struggled in the IPL and were placed at the bottom of the table in 2015. Furthermore, they have DD and KXIP are also coming off a loss in their opening match of this season and would be desperate to make amends. 

The Delhi team management raised quite a few eyebrows with the selection policy in the last game and one would hope that the Rahul Dravid led think-tank will be quick to rectify their mistakes tonight. On the other hand, Punjab too would be keen on adding some more balance and depth their squad. 

Injury concerns 

South African JP Duminy is still nursing an injury and his participation for today’s match remains in doubt. That said, DD would do well to get their champion leggie Imran Tahir back in the playing 11 in place of the visibly struggling pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile. 

Punjab too will be hoping that their marquee opener Shaun Marsh has fully recovered from his food poisoning. However, it will be tricky for the Aussie to replace his mate Marcus Stoinis who did well in the previous game. Bowlers Mitch Johnson and Mohit Sharma too might have to sit out of this game in place of Kyle Abbott and Anureet Singh. 

Pitch and conditions

Don’t expect any assistance for the seamers and pacers. The wicket will continue to play slow and the spinners will once again come into play. Plenty of variations and slower balls could be the key at the kotla. On the weather front, it’s going to be another hot evening with no chances of rain. 

Currently, both sides look pretty much even on paper. There is little doubt that both teams lack experience too. As far as the Daredevils are concerned, their top-order has to be amongst the runs and they also need to get their batting positions right.

Their bowling too needs some re-thinking. Captain Zaheer needs to lead by example and the hosts would do well if they can use leggies Amit Mishra and Tahir in tandem. 

Meanwhile, KXIP too has problems in their middle-order. While their top-order has shown promise, they need to focus on finishing their innings with a flourish. Glenn Maxwell’s batting form is a slight worry and Punjab’s think-tank might contemplate bringing in Gurkeerat Singh into the playing 11. 

Given the conditions, the hosts have a better line-up of spinners. DD will also have the liberty of playing in front of their home fans. However, the visitors have a better balance to their squad. Assured openers, match winners Maxwell-Miller and a few utility cricketers might just give Punjab their first win of the tournament.