DD vs KXIP Match Prediction: Who will win today's battle between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2016 Match 7

MATCH RESULT: Delhi Daredevils beat Kings XI Punjab by 8 wickets

Today’s IPL match will see battle between Delhi and Punjab. Zaheer Khan's Delhi Daredevils will lock horns with David Miller's Kings XI Punjab in Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi tonight. It is going to be a massive second game for these two sides after they ended up on the losing side in their previous game of the IPL 2016. Both these teams would be desperate to get off the mark and today’s game provide them an ideal opportunity to do that. The head to head stats are favourable for Kings XI Punjab. Out of 8 matches played till date KXIP have won 5, whereas Delhi Daredevils have won just 3.

Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

Kotla pitch has always had something for the spinners and a dry track is expected for this game. With Kotla stadium being on the smaller side, one can see some huge hits tonight.

If Kotla produces a spin friendly track then Delhi Daredevils will be the favourites for this game! Lets have a look below to find out why!

Who can win today’s IPL Match between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab

If Delhi Daredevils bat first:

A total of 165 plus predicted. The batters need to pull their socks up if Delhi has to script a surprise this season. Daredevils would rely heavily on the young South African run machine Quinton De Kock. He also doubles up as their wicket keeper. If QDK gets going, Punjab will be in for a leather hunt.

Delhi depends a lot on young Indian batting talent. The top order Indian batting sensations Agarwal, who is DeKock's opening partner and Shreyas Iyer, at no. 3, have to fire in this game for the Daredevils' to lay a platform. Both have shown great form in domestic cricket and they need to replicate those performances in the IPL.

They would heavily on the trio of Sanju Samson, Karun Nair and JP Duminy in the middle. JP Duminy, especially has to shoulder the middle order if the Daredevils don't want a collapse like the last game. I guess we really do not need any introduction to Carlos Braithwaite’s ability. If at least 3 players fire from this young and talented batting line the Daredevils would look to post a score in excess of 170.

This score can then be defended by their able bowling line up comprising of their skipper Zaheer Khan and South African allrounder Chris Morris. The troika of Amit Mishra, Pawan Negi and Imran Tahir can defend any score if the surface has a wee bit of turn. Let us look forward then to a Daredevil performance. Personally, I am looking forward to an Imran Tahir wicket, which will spark off that joyous celebratory run much to the delight of the home ground!

If the Kings XI Punjab bat first

Total of 170 plus predicted. 180 and above if M&M go berserk!!

Punjab would want a similar start to the previous game where the exciting Manan Vohra and the full-of-class Murali Vijay laid a solid platform for smackers like Miller and Maxwell. Miller and Maxwell are the key guys and Punjab would love to see the M&M factor come into play.

They will be followed by the 'keeper Saha, the Aussie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and Axar Patel. Stoinis might just make way for the more experienced Farhaan Behardein after an ordinary last game. A total of 180 and above is achievable in the smallish Kotla ground if Miller and Maxwell fire in unison.

The bowling looks decent with Mitchell Johnson sharing the new ball with Sandeep Sharma. Johnson's pace compliments Sharma's swing well and a few early wickets will set the cat amongst the pigeons for the Daredevils again. Little known leg spin of Pardeep Sahu and quickish left arm spin of Axar Patel should play a major role if Kotla dishes out a dry wicket.