IPL 2021: Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Capitals Betting Tips

IPL 2021: Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Capitals – Preview and Prediction. Every match of the IPL we will provide betting tips. Also, have a listen to the Bet Central Podcast below.

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Betting Preview

Delhi Capitals are set to lock horns with Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 2 of the 2021 Indian Premier League this afternoon at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The Capitals have been the most consistent IPL side in recent years. They are the only side to qualify for the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. The key to their success has been identifying their best XI early and changing it only when forced to do so.

After suffering damaging defeats to CSK, RCB and KKR in the past two weeks – when batting first and after decent opening stands (35, 88 and 36 runs), are the Capitals suffering from a middle-order batting problem, or is it the bowlers who have found the going tough lately?

Looking at the stats, it would be fair to say a bit of both. Not only are the Delhi batsmen ranked last this year for hitting 6s during the middle and death overs (7-20) averaging just 2.74 per match, but their death bowling (overs 16-20) is also ranked last conceding 48.8 runs per game. Kagiso Rabada’s four straight matches without a wicket is key to those struggles.

Outside of CSK, it would be fair to say that KKR have been the in-form team in the UAE leg of this year’s tournament having won six of their eight contests.

When it comes to dissecting the reason for KKR’s recent victories compared to their losses, it is as simple as looking at the total runs conceded column. In their two losses, the Knight Riders’ bowlers have conceded an average of 170 runs per match, while in their eight wins that average drops to a measly 119 runs.

The chasing teams have won five out of seven games in Sharjah so far this season. Four of Delhi Capitals’ five losses this season have come while batting first, while Knight Riders have won on all five occasions when chasing during the UAE leg of the tournament. So it will not be a surprise if both teams are looking to bowl first.

Going by the record of the two teams at this venue, chasing has guaranteed more success, so the team that bats second has a much better chance of booking a place in the final.

Stat Attack

KKR have an 8-4 W/L record against Delhi when batting second.

Avesh Khan has been the top Delhi bowler in 47% of their matches this year (7 from 15).

Varun Chakravarthy has been KKR’s top bowler in five matches this year, but only once has he also had the best figures of the match.

Delhi have recorded the highest powerplay score in five of the last six H2H matches.

Knight Riders have played three games in Sharjah this season. In two of them, against Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, they didn’t concede a single six.

In the IPL playoffs, including finals, Pant has scored 199 runs in six innings, at an average of 49.75 and a strike rate of 151.91.

Players To Watch

Shreyas Iyer (Delhi) is the highest active run-scorer in matches between these two sides with a tally of 426 runs (avg. 38.73). He also possesses a very handy Sharjah Cricket Stadium average of 55.67. Shubman Gill has played with precision for the Knight Riders in the 2021 edition of the IPL. In 15 matches, the right-hander has notched 381 runs at an average of 25.40 and a strike rate of 121.72.

Best Bets

Suggested Bet: DC to win 1.95

Suggested Bet: R Pant to be DC’s top batman 4.50

Suggested Bet: KKR to hit the most sixes 1.80