Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders – IPL 5 – Match Preview
The top two teams of the current Indian Premier League, Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders, will collide ways at the former’s home, the Feroz Shah Kotla, in a bid to assert their dominancy at the summit of the league, today, May 7, 2012.
In hindsight, both franchises are similar in many ways. They have been underperforming in the previous seasons despite among the most followed outfits. Inconsistency had been their major issue, for which both sides decided to splash out cash in order to get the desired acquisitions, and more importantly, results.
While Delhi remained the more active in the transfer market, bringing in the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Kevin Pietersen and Ross Taylor, the Riders also made some shrewd signings in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sunil-Philip-Narine-c91869 and Marchant de Lange.
Their presence at the top is largely attributed to the abilities of their bowling attacks to pitch in with some key performances, along with the heroics of their captains. The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/G-Gambhir-c1447 has also been in hot form for the Knight Riders, notching up 421 runs at 145.17.
Despite this clash holding lesser significance in terms of their standings on the points table, there will be a touch of urgency as both sides will be keen to place a permanent footing in their pursuit of the knock out stages.
Only one point separates the two, so a win for either franchise will see them qualify for the eliminator round. Both teams have been flying high – KKR registered their fifth consecutive win, following a narrow victory against Pune http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals on May 1.
While it is hard to adjudicate a winner but Delhi will go into the game with a slight edge. Apart from the skipper’s contributions, it was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 at home.
His position however, will be filled by one http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397.
KKR have had no one in particular to account to as Gambhir has been the team’s lone provider. The forms of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/YK-Pathan-c2815 has been a disappointment. With the playoffs approaching fast, KKR need to address this problem quickly in order avoid any tournament-deciding slipup.
On the bowling front, both sides are adequately equipped. Delhi has the services of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahbaz-Nadeem-c89339 and Pawan Negi.
KKR have http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Brett-Lee-c48419’s experience, de Lange’s raw pace and a quality spinner in Narine, whose battle with Sehwag would be fascinating.
The pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla will offer assistance to the batters, while spinners are also expected to play a key role.
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