IPL Today Match DC vs KKR: Dream11 prediction, head to head stats, fantasy value, key players, pitch report and ground history of IPL 2024

NEW DELHI: In an upcoming clash between the Delhi Capitals and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League , Delhi seems poised to capitalize on Kolkata's bowling weaknesses and secure a spot in the top-four standings. Led by Rishabh Pant , the Capitals have been on a resurgence, winning four of their last five matches and showing signs of becoming a formidable team.

Meanwhile, Kolkata, under the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir , has faced three defeats in their recent five matches, largely due to their struggles in bowling effectively.

Kolkata Knight Riders find themselves in a strong position, sitting second in the points table with five wins from eight matches. On the other hand, the Delhi Capitals are currently in fifth place, having secured 10 points from their 10 matches played so far.

Head to head:

The history between Kolkata and Delhi in the IPL spans 32 encounters, with Kolkata Knight Riders holding a slight edge, having emerged victorious in 16 matches compared to Delhi Capitals' 15 wins. Additionally, there was one match that ended with no result, adding an intriguing twist to their head-to-head statistics.

Pitch Report :

The IPL 2024 season at Kolkata's Eden Gardens has seen five matches, showcasing a pitch favoring batsmen. Teams have surpassed 200 runs in eight innings, with a high average first innings total of 215. Captains winning the toss might choose to field, given chasing teams' success—three wins and two close defeats—highlighting the strategic importance of the decision.

Ground Stats:

In the five matches held at the venue, teams batting first have clinched victory on two occasions, while those batting second have emerged victorious in three matches. The Eden Gardens has witnessed high-scoring encounters, with an average first innings total reaching an impressive 215, closely followed by the second innings average of 214.

The record for the highest total scored at this venue stands at 262/2, achieved by Punjab Kings against Kolkata Knight Riders in just 18.4 overs, showcasing the potential for explosive batting displays. Conversely, the lowest total recorded at Eden Gardens this season is 161/7, posted by Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders, highlighting the range of challenges teams have faced on this pitch.

Fantasy Value:

1. The Eden Gardens has been the stage for four high-scoring thrillers in IPL 2024, including a record-breaking chase by Punjab Kings against Kolkata Knight Riders. Fans can expect another batting spectacle when both the teams meet.

2. With both teams flaunting powerful batting line-ups, KKR and Delhi Capitals' captains are likely to focus on securing quality pacers and spinners to control the run flow, especially during the middle overs.

Key Players:

1. Sunil Narine: He has been a standout performer for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, leading both the run-scoring and wicket-taking charts for his team. Opening the innings, Narine showcased his explosive batting prowess by smashing his maiden T20 century, amassing 357 runs at a remarkable strike-rate of over 184. Notably, he has also contributed with the ball, claiming 10 wickets with his off-spin bowling.

2. Rishabh Pant: The captain of Delhi Capitals, has made a strong comeback to competitive cricket in IPL 2024. Pant has been a dynamic force in the middle-order, leading by example with his attacking batting style. With a tally of 371 runs in 10 matches, he tops the run-scoring list for his team.

3. Fraser-McGurk: He has emerged as a game-changer with his aggressive batting skills, making a significant impact at the top of the order. With his natural ability to hit the ball hard and impeccable hand-eye coordination, the 22-year-old has been a sensation in the IPL, amassing 247 runs in just five matches at an astonishing strike rate of 237.50.

Squads:

Delhi Capitals: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Tristan Stubbs, Axar Patel, Kumar Kushagra, Kuldeep Yadav, Lizaad Williams, Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Rasikh Dar Salam, Praveen Dubey, Vicky Ostwal, Ricky Bhui, Sumit Kumar, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Lalit Yadav, David Warner, Yash Dhull, Swastik Chikara, Jhye Richardson, Ishant Sharma, Gulbadin Naib

Kolkata Knight Riders: Philip Salt(w), Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Andre Russell, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Dushmantha Chameera, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mitchell Starc, Allah Ghazanfar, Sakib Hussain, Sherfane Rutherford, Chetan Sakariya, Nitish Rana, Srikar Bharat

Dream11 Fantasy team:

Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant, Phil Salt
Batters: Tristan Stubbs, Shreyas Iyer, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Angkrish Raghuvanshi
All-rounders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell
Bowlers: Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana

(Inputs from Agencies)