DD vs KXIP: Red-Hot Kings Are Ready To Crush Daredevils

Kings XI Punjab have been in terrific form having won their last three games in IPL 2018, while Delhi Daredevils is experiencing another worse start as they have lost four of their five matches they have played so far.

Cricket News: Punjab are banking on their opening duo to defeat the bottom-placed franchise

On Saturday besides thunderstorms, it was the havoc created by Chris Gayle and KL Rahul that caused damage to the Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowlers and led to a nine-wicket win for the Kings XI Punjab.

The openers of Punjab have been in total control over all the matches and that has been the USP of Punjab’s victories this season. The team management wants the opening pair to fire again when they meet Delhi at Feroz Shah Kotla on Monday.

Delhi has already tasted defeat against Punjab when the two teams met at Mohali, courtesy to KL Rahul fastest fifty in IPL history of just 14 balls.

Rahul had missed IPL 2017 due to shoulder injury and has done justice to his price as he was bought this season for Rs 11.5 crore. Chris Gayle has scored a century and two fifties at a strike rate of 170.89 in the three matches he has played so far.

However because of the opening pair, the middle order has not yet been tested, with Karun Nair being the only batsman with 35-plus score.

KXIP’s bowling can be handled by Trent Boult and Liam Plunkett, as they will look for some quick breakthroughs.

Delhi’s struggle has been with consistency, with Gautam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer and Jason Roy, all struggling to keep a constant form. Risabh Pant is the only consistent performer with 223 runs at a strike rate of 176.98.

The fixtures of IPL 2018 has also not been kind, as it will be Delhi’s first home game, and thus will give them an opportunity to make the most of the home conditions.