Preview & Prediction: Match 2 (KXIP vs DC)

Battle of the Young Guns

KL Rahul will become the 50th IPL captain today as he pairs up with Kumble to start KXIP's campaign. Both are younger sides of the tournament with DC stocking most of the up and coming talent for India. DC will start as favorites even though their overseas quota isn't as decent as KXIP. Crucial for both these underdogs to start well.

Pitch Report 

Dubai: Pitch should be similar to yesterday and pacers are expected to do well. 

Probable XI

KXIP: Rahul, Gayle, Mayank, Pooran, Sarfaraz, Nair/Mandeep, Gowtham, Jordan/Cottrell, Shami, Mujeeb, Bishnoi
Maxwell hasnt finished his quarantine which would let KXIP afford Universe Boss in their XI.

DC: Shaw, Dhawan, Iyer, Pant, Hetmyer, Stoinis, Axar, Ashwin, Rabada, Nortje, Ishant
Hetmyer should be the clear choice in absence of Carey who is coming back from an ODI ton.
 

Head to Head
Head to Head across seasons, KXIP has done better, winning 58% of the games

Year-wise, KXIP has had an upper hand in the recent years.

Pattern
Both teams win around 35% of their opening games. Nothing separating the two here.

Players Match Up

1. Rishabh Pant:-

-Mujeeb has dismissed Pant twice in 11 deliveries.
-Pant averages 65 @ 164 & Shaw averages 10 vs Legbreak. KXIP has Bishnoi.
-Pant averages 14 vs Fast bowlers with 12 dismissals. KXIP has Shami. Has faced 2 balls off him so far. Hit a 6 on the first and got out on the second.

2. KL Rahul:-

-Rahul averages 160 @ 109 vs Left-Arm Orthodox. KXIP has Axar.
-Overall terrific record vs all bowling types except for Medium pace bowlers.

3. Mayank Agarwal:-

-Mayank averages only 12 vs Fast bowlers with 14 dismissals. DC has 3 Fast bowlers.
-Has 3 dismissals vs Ashwin with Avg of 13.

4. Contrasting stats of Gayle & Maxwell

-Maxwell averages 83 @ 237 vs Ashwin. Dismissed only once. But averages only 8 vs Delhi with 6 dismissals.
-Gayle averages only 12 @ 83 vs Ashwin. Dismissed 4 times. But averages 41 @ 154 vs Delhi Capitals.

5. Head to Head batting:-

Iyer & Gayle average 50+ in HTH in the last 2 seasons. Pant has been disappointing.

Fun Stats

-Delhi wins 83% of the games when Shaw goes past 30.

-Delhi wins 77% of the games when Iyer goes past 50.

-Ironically, Mayank's team wins only 32% games when he strikes at 150+

Fantasy Team

-KL Rahul (Captain)
There is nobody connecting the ball better than this bloke at the moment. He is expected to play with more flair and responsibility since he will be making his captaincy debut.
 

-Dhawan (VC)
This is a little gamble leaving out Pant or Iyer for VC. Dhawan's SR has been an issue for a while now and is probably not in his best touch. But he is expected to hold one end while Shaw attacks. With Rahane in the side, he is expected to start well because he will be eager to retain the spot in XI.

-Iyer, Pant, Shaw, Gayle, Pooran
All of them are match-winners with the bat. Huge risk in leaving anyone out. Iyer could even be considered for VC while it's better to watch Pant for a couple of matches before making him captain or vice-captain.

-Gowtham
A trump card which RR must be regretting giving up especially when IPL is now happening in UAE. Good with both bat and ball, he could be really handy.

-Rabada, Shami, Nortje
All three express bowlers are expected to enjoy this pitch. Mujeeb is left out to accommodate Gayle(based on price)

Records

Only Sehwag and Miller have 300+ runs in HTH.