IPL 2018: KXIP vs DD: Pitch prediction and key player battles

DD and KXIP are the only two inaugural teams which haven't been able to make a strong statement in the first decade of IPL. KXIP have a new captain in Ravichandran Ashwin, who will be leading the batting heavy side, while DD will be happy to have Gautam Gambhir back in their team.

Ashwin's tactics along with Sehwag's flair has brought a new flavour to KXIP and they will look forward to a few performances from Yuvraj Singh.

The Daredevils have never won a playoff match and will hope that Gambhir, with his vast experience as a successful captain, will be able to lead them all the way.

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Pitch prediction

The Mohali pitch has always offered some support for the fast bowlers initially and also offers good batting conditions in the latter part of the innings.

One can expect the pitch to have minimal grass cover and thereby reducing the assistance to bowlers. DD have some solid fast bowling options with an in-form Boult, Morris and Shami.

Each of them has the ability to make good use of any sort of assistance from the pitch if there is any. KXIP, on the other hand, have only one threatening fast bowler in Andrew Tye who will be assisted by Mohit Sharma, who is only a medium-fast bowler.

Gambhir vs Ashwin

A new captain, a new decade, can he turn around KXIP fortunes?

Gambhir and Ashwin have played important roles in their franchises over the past decade. Gautam Gambhir is an experienced captain, whereas Ashwin will captain an IPL side for the first time.

Gambhir has played the role of a formidable captain and led KKR to two titles in his seven-year stint and transformed KKR to a champion side. DD will expect a similar turnaround.

It will be interesting to see who will open their campaign with a win, after a good auction. Both KXIP and DD have formed their best sides till now which is balanced in most departments, which wasn't the case earlier.

Gayle vs Maxwell

Now Maxwell will play against KXIP

The M&M show has been synonymous with the KXIP team over the past few years. Maxwell and Miller won many matches single-handedly and also played a key role in their run to the finals in 2014. But now, he has changed sides and will be playing against the franchise he has played the most for.

Chris Gayle

Another explosive batsman we will be seeing in this match is Chris Henry Gayle, who will be donning red and silver, instead of red and gold. Gayle was unsold in the initial phase of the auction and was only bought in the last few minutes of the auction. How can there be an IPL without the Universe Boss?

Well, he is here, and it will be interesting to see who will light up the stadium with their fireworks - Gayle or Maxwell?

Yuvraj vs Boult

Yuvraj Singh

The injury to Rabada makes way for Trent Boult into the starting XI and he may play a longer role in this year's IPL, after being the second fiddle overseas bowler for the past few years for SRH and KKR. The left arm pacer has been in the great form in the recent past, not only in Test cricket but also in the T20 format.

He was the best bowler for New Zealand with 8 wickets in recent England, Australia, New Zealand T20I Triseries. Boult has the ability to swing the ball away from the left-handers and into the right-handers and can trouble the KXIP batsmen with his consistent line and length.

Yuvraj, the Prince of Punjab, will be looking forward to making a worthwhile comeback to the home team after 7 long years. He has been in good nick and the same was seen in a practice match where he scored a hundred.

The KXIP team will expect him to win a few matches for them. Yuvraj might face Boult in the fag end of the innings where there will be a need for quick runs. Now it will be interesting to see as to who will provide the right finish for their team.