IPL 2020 UAE: DC vs KXIP Preview, Predicted 11 and Players Picks

DC vs KXIP IPL 2020: Delhi Capitals take on Kings XI Punjab in the second match as we look at the predicted 11 and top fantasy picks. 

Match Details:

IPL 2020 – DC vs KXIP Match Preview:

While Mumbai Indians take on Chennai Super Kings in the tournament opener, the second match of IPL 2020 brings the excitement of IPL 2014’s star performers, KXIP and IPL 2020’s hot favorites, Delhi Capitals together for a stunning clash. 

Delhi Capitals finished third in IPL 2019 after losing out on the final two spot to Chennai Super Kings. This time around too, they have one of the best squads on paper. With all their players in stunning form, and pitches assisting spin, they are one of the hot favorites for top 2 finish. 

Meanwhile, Kings XI Punjab have looked promising in their last two campaign, but a poor show in second half meant they finished in the bottom half in both the seasons. They have a solid core in place for 2020, and under fresh leadership of KL Rahul, KXIP would want to begin on a positive note. They should also take motivation from their 2014 campaign where they won all their matches in UAE. 

IPL 2020 DC vs KXIP Predicted XIs: 

Delhi Capitals’ main headache would be the selection of overseas players. While Shimron Hetmyer, Kagiso Rabada, and Marcus Stoinis select for themselves, the selection would revolve around fourth overseas player. Given that Ishant Sharma is a powerplay bowler, and doesn’t bowl much in death, Delhi Capitals would want to Daniel Sams to assist Kagiso Rabada in the death overs. Otherwise, Keemo Paul is also a good option, who would give you good depth in the batting. 

IPL 2020 DC vs KXIP – Delhi Capitals Predicted 11:

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Sams/ Keemo Paul, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Amit Mishra, and Ishant Sharma.

IPL 2020 DC vs KXIP – Kings XI Punjab Predicted 11:

For Kings XI Punjab, the question would be the choice between the two overseas contingents- Chris Gayle vs Nicholas Pooran and Sheldon Cottrell vs Chris Jordan. History says if you are beginning the tournament, you cannot miss out on the services of fresh Chris Gayle, hence he should get a slight nod above Nicholas Pooran.

On the other hand, Cottrell vs Jordan should be an interesting contest. Jordan is an experienced T20 bowler, and good in death overs, but Cottrell has the x-factor, and is also one of KXIP’s costliest buys in IPL 2020. Looking at the situation, Sheldon Cottrell should get to play the initial few matches.  

KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Glenn Maxwell, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Sheldon Cottrell, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. 

Top Fantasy Picks:

Batsmen: KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, and Shreyas Iyer 

KL Rahul is, without doubt, Team India’s best T20 player at the moment. Not only in International cricket, but he has also been in stunning form in IPL in the last two years. Captaining the side, KL Rahul would have an added responsibility in his batting, and hence, he is a default pick for the first match.

Shikhar Dhawan has had a fantastic IPL 2019, but since then hasn’t done much in the T20Is. The good things is Dhawan would prefer the pitches of UAE, which kind of suit his batting. He doesn’t need to be uber-aggressive, and can play his natural game, and let Prithvi Shaw be the aggressor. 

Delhi Capitals’ captain, Shreyas Iyer has been in stunning form off-late in International cricket, and has made himself a permanent fixture of Team India in limited-overs cricket. It was either him or Rishabh Pant for the third choice, but we feel, Shreyas Iyer would be a good selection here.  

All-rounder: Glenn Maxwell 

Glenn Maxwell is in red-hot form at the moment. He is coming off a series-winning knock against England, and his confidence would sky high. More importantly, if he gets into the skin of his IPL 2014 character, then there’s no stopping to him. 

Bowlers: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Kagiso Rabada, and Mohammed Shami

Similar to Maxwell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman is in red hot form. He is coming off a successful CPL 2020, where he finished as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker. He is KXIP’s trump-card, and unless KXIP make a bizarre team selection, Mujeeb Ur Rahman should lead the spin attack for them. 

Kagiso Rabada was IPL 2019’s most valuable bowler. His raw pace with stunning accuracy and variations helped him get 25 wickets from 12 matches with a stunning Strike rate of 11.28. He is a default pick of the first match, and the pacer to watch out for. 

Over the last few years, Mohammed Shami has improved considerably as a limited-overs bowler. Not only in IPL, but he has also been a star performer in International cricket. He would be leading the pace attack for KXIP, and if not for his higher economy rate, he is sure to give you valuable points in the form of wickets. 

Captain & Vice-Captain Pick: KL Rahul and Kagiso Rabada 

Thanks for reading! Who do you think would win the second match of IPL 2020 between DC and KXIP? Please, share your thoughts on business@cricalytics.com

ALSO READ: IPL 2020 UAE: Complete list of Updated Squad for all the Teams

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.