IPL 2021, Qualifier 2, KKR vs DC highlights: Kolkata wins by 3 wickets

Opting to bowl, KKR dished out another superlative bowling display to restrict Delhi Capitals to 135 for 5 on a slow Sharjah track

6:54 PM

IPL 2021, Qualfier 2: DC vs KKR PITCH REPORT

It's pretty cool out here, quite pleasant. The history of pitch No. 4 - the highest score batting first was made by RCB: 156. In the games that came thereafter, no one got past 132, so it seems a little bit of a challenge batting first and that's going to be the key," says Ian Bishop duing pitch report.

(Photo: Sportzpics for IPL)

6:49 PM

IPL 2021, Qualifier 2: Here are the squads of Delhi and Kolkata

Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Prithvi Shaw, Ripal Patel, Shikhar Dhawan, Shimrom Hetmyar, Shreyas Iyer, Steve Smith, Amit Mishra, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan, Ben Dwarshuis, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Kulwant Khejroliya, Lukman Meriwala, Pravin Dubey, Tom Curran, Umesh Yadav, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sam Billings and Vishnu Vinod.

 

Kolkata Knight Riders: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Dinesh Karthik, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Karun Nair, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathy, Shubman Gill, Harbhajan Singh, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Pawan Negi, M Prasidh Krishna, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Dube, Tim Southee, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russel, Ben Cutting, Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, Sheldon Jackson, Tim Seifert.

(Photo: Avesh Khan of Delhi Capitals and Venkatesh Iyer of Kolkata Knight Riders before the start of the qualifier 2 match of the Vivo Indian Premier League between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Delhi Capitals held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on the 13th October 2021, credit: Sportzpics for IPL)
 

6:46 PM

IPL 2021, Qualifier 2: Delhi Capitals team news

In Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw and Shreyas Iyer, Delhi boast of a solid top order. Pant, along with Shimron Hetmyer, look after the middle order, even as they missed the injured Marcus Stoinis' prowess.

 

Dhawan (618) was the second highest run-scorer in 2020 and has already raked up 551 this season. His opening partner Shaw is also coming off a good game against CSK.

 

On the bowling front, the South African pace duo of Kagiso Rabada (2020 purple cap winner) and Anrich Nortje has proved to a dream pair, having scalped 52 wickets together in 2020.

 

Then there is speedster Avesh Khan, who has taken 23 wickets so far in this season of the tournament, and he will back himself to add to his tally against KKR.

(Photo credit: Sportzpics for IPL)
 

6:35 PM

IPL 2021, Qualifier 2: DC vs KKR PREVIEW

Eyeing a maiden IPL title, the fancied Delhi Capitals will face another litmus test in the form of a Kolkata Knight Riders unit brimming with optimism when the two sides lock horns in the second qualifier here on Wednesday.

 

Delhi Capitals failed in their first big test when they lost to Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier and another defeat will mean there will be no more examination for the strong squad, led by India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

 

Two-time winners KKR will no doubt take confidence from their victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Monday's eliminator that dashed Virat Kohli's hopes of winning an IPL title with his longstanding franchise.

 

If the emphasis is on momentum and peaking at the right time then KKR will definitely fancy their chances in their next outing, notwithstanding their opponents' resources and depth in lineup.

 

DC, who topped the league stage with as many as 10 wins for a total of 20 points, are well aware of the task that awaits them.

 

Since Australian great Ricky Ponting took over as their coach, Delhi Capitals have grown from strength to strength as they finished second runners up in the 2019 edition before reaching the summit clash last year.

 

This year there aim is to do one better and win the title.

 

They are one of the most balanced sides in the tournament with a formidable batting line-up and a potent pace attack that is aided by seasoned spinners including Ravichandran Ashwin.

(Photo: Sportzpics for IPL)
 

6:19 PM

IPL 2021 Qualifier 2, Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders LIVE

Hello and Welcome to the live coverage of DC vs KKR Qualifier 2 match at Sharjah Cricket Ground.