IPL 9: Kolkata Knight Riders out to challenge Zak’s devils

If one were to predict the outcome of a Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders game ahead of the Indian Premier League Season Nine, most would have voted in favour of the latter. But within two weeks of action in this edition, the equation has changed dramatically.

Bottom finishers in 2013 and 2014, Delhi have emerged an inspired unit under new skipper Zaheer Khan and a herd of new signings, and visitors Kolkata will be well aware of this when the two teams come face-to-face in an afternoon game here on Saturday.

Kolkata have been consistent and at the heart of their successful campaign so far is skipper Gautam Gambhir. The southpaw, who had earlier led them to two title triumphs, has been among the top five run-getters this year and has led by example.

KKR’s strength is their all-round show — that has seen them win four of their six matches so far — and a very formidable unit with the players backing each other.

The team though will be wary of Delhi’s strength at home, and will be keen to get going after running into a red-hot Mumbai Indians on Thursday night that lead to a six-wicket loss, that exposed a few of their frailties.

Gambhir and Robin Uthappa have provided KKR the desired starts, while a greater effort will be needed from the middle order of Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan and Suryakumar Yadav. The team rely on their spinners — Sunil Narine, Piyush Chawla and Shakib — and will look to make the most of the Kotla pitch.

Delhi, on the other hand, have found the spunk and gumption to fight which was so missing from their campaign all these years.

Veteran pacer Zaheer is shrewd as a captain and has led with a lot of common sense. Also, he has found his go-to-men in Quinton de Kock — who slammed IPL’s first hundred in 2016 - Imran Tahir, J.P. Duminy, Karun Nair, Sanju Samson and Amit Mishra, all of whom have delivered on one occasion or the other.

Delhi are coming into this game after a heart-stopping one-run defeat to Gujarat Lions on Wednesday night, but will have plenty to draw from that match. From a hopeless situation — they were 16/3 in pursuit of Gujarat’s 172/6 — Chris Morris turned it around to almost take Delhi to the finish line, and that has been the team’s story this year.

With Paddy Upton and Rahul Dravid at the helm, the hosts will be eager to build on in their race to the playoffs, and the loss to KKR in the away fixture on April 10 will be an added inspiration.