IPL 2018 DD vs KXIP: 5 player battles to look forward to 

The Delhi Daredevils seemed to have turned a corner following their win against Mumbai Indians but since then they have lost two on the trot and find themselves at the bottom of the table with 1 win in 5 games. They are sinking and sinking fast and tonight they come up against the tournament’s in-form team Kings XI Punjab. DD are desperate for a win and coming up against the team who are currently 2nd (4 wins in 5 games) is a daunting prospect.

However, they will be playing at home and despite the thumping they received at the hands of KXIP earlier on in the tournament, they must start afresh. KXIP, on the other hand, would like to cement their place at the top half of the table and considering their recent form, they would be confident going into tonight’s game. The match will throw up some interesting battles and here is a look at 5 of the key ones.

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#5 Rahul Tewatia v Aaron Finch

For a team that has consistently conceded big totals due to the general profligacy of their bowlers, uncapped leg-spinner Rahul Tewatia has proven to be a calming influence so far. While the rest of the regular bowlers (Shami, Morris, Nadeem) have all gone for more than 10 an over, the leg-spinner has recorded an economy rate of 7.38 and has claimed 6 wickets.

Now, KXIP have been blessed with an opening partnership that bats long but if wickets do fall then they have the power-hitting of Aaron Finch to fall back on and his battle with Tewatia in the middle overs could prove to be a crucial one. The Australian is not particularly comfortable against spin and he is yet to get going in the tournament. However, there is every chance of this contest between Finch and Tewatia having a big influence on the game.

#4 Rishabh Pant v Mujeeb ur Rahman

Duels between talented young players are always exciting and one of those will be on offer tonight when DD’s marauding wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and KXIP’s young Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The finger-spinner has been one of the most consistent performers in the KXIP attack this year and although he has only picked up 4 wickets so far, he has recorded a brilliant economy rate of 7.05.

Hitting him out of the attack has proven to be a tough ask for most players but Pant will try exactly that tonight and considering the sort of hitting form he is in, it promises to be a classic contest. He is currently striking at 176.98 and in his last game, Pant hit 7 sixes and 6 fours in a pulsating 48 ball 85. The left-handed batsman is a brilliant player of spin as well, which is why Mujeeb would have to bring his best game to Delhi tonight.

#3 Glenn Maxwell v Ravichandran Ashwin

Glenn Maxwell is one of the game’s most brutal power-hitters and although he has not got going in this year’s IPL so far, tonight he will come up against a bowler who he has dominated for much of his career. That could just be the tonic he needs to kickstart his campaign. The bowler, as everyone knows is KXIP captain Ravichandran Ashwin and he would definitely like to improve his record against the Australian.

Maxwell has faced 49 deliveries from Ashwin in the IPL and smashed 107 runs at a whopping strike rate of 218.4 That is the sort of dominance he has enjoyed but at the same time, it must be pointed out that Ashwin is a different bowler now. He has added the regular leg break to his armory and it would be fascinating to see if he can get one over the batsman, who has been his nemesis over the years.

#2 Chris Morris v Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle has only been dismissed once in 3 games and in those games, he has destroyed the opposition each time. If DD are to entertain any chance of winning the game, then they must find a way to keep him quiet and eventually get his wicket. He is striking at almost 171 and in a small stadium like Kotla, he can run away with the game fairly quickly.

The man for the job as far as DD are concerned is their star all-rounder Chris Morris and considering the past successes he has enjoyed against the Jamaican, it is a contest that would have a huge bearing on the ultimate result of the game. His pace and length have often proved to be Gayle’s undoing and out of the six occasions in which the South African has come up against him, he got his wicket thrice.

#1 Trent Boult v KL Rahul

The last time these two teams squared up KL Rahul scored an unforgettable 50 off 14 balls and completely killed off the game in a matter of overs. In that game, he welcomed New Zealand’s star fast bowler Trent Boult to the crease with a six (which was a top edge, in fairness) and two fours in the 1st over.

So, it is fair to say that Rahul won the opening bout but Boult isn’t a bowler who is not going to have a plan against the Indian batsmen when they clash in tonight’s game at the Kotla. Rahul has a strike rate of 183.62 and an average of 42.60, which is why he such a damaging player. He is capable of sustained hitting but Boult’s swing, pace, and seam movement is going to be a challenge for him. The opening skirmish will set the tone for the game, for sure.