KKR Playing XI vs DC: DC vs KKR LIVE – In a crucial match of IPL 2023, Kolkata Knight Riders face off against Delhi Capitals. While DC are facing a do-or-die situation, KKR have their own problems to solve. While Rinku Singh heroics had saved them the blushes against Gujarat Titans, they have lost two in a row since. To arrest the slide, KKR have made wholesale changes with Jason Roy, Litton Das and Kulwant Khejroliya making their debuts. Follow Indian Premier League LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Jason Roy, Litton Das(w), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana(c), Mandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Kulwant Khejroliya, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
The form has suddenly deserted Gurbaz after he hit a fine half-century against RCB. With scores of 15, 0 and 8 in the last three innings, the Afghan star has not done any favours. A wicket in the powerplay seems to be regular for KKR. Narayan Jagadeesan has also failed to continue his fantastic domestic form in IPL with scores of 6, 36 and 0. Had it not been for Venkatesh Iyer, KKR could be staring at a different result.
To reinforce the top order, KKR could bring in Jason Roy, who has warmed the bench since coming in as a replacement for Shreyas Iyer. However, KKR cannot drop both Gurbaz and Narayan Jagadeesan at the same time. With Gurbaz handling keeping duties, he has locked in the place. Jagadeesan is also a part-time keeper and KKR can only drop either of them.
If Jason Roy plays, KKR have to stick with Jagadeesan as he will be the only keeper. But the other direct swap could be Bangaldeshi star Litton Das for Gurbaz. As Litton is a wicketkeeper batter, he could easily slot in.
KKR Playing XI vs DC: What to expect from DC vs KKR –
- Kolkata need a new approach in top order, especially in the opening.
- Jason Roy and Litton Das are two options KKR currently have as openers to replace Gurbaz.
- Litton Das is a like-for-like replacement as he can keep wickets.
- If Litton plays, KKR can replace Jagadeesan with an Indian batter.
- In bowling KKR, need a relook too.
- Lockie Ferguson hasn’t done well and Tim Southee is a better option to come in with vast experience.
- He will also add leadership flair to Nitish Rana.
- The other option is to go with David Weise as an all-rounder and handover the bowling responsibility completely on Indian attack, dropping Ferguson.
- But either way, Nitish Rana has a big decision to make.
However, it is KKR’s bowling that needs a relook. Caretaker captain Nitish Rana has reiterated the need for the bowling unit to step up. Only Suyash Sharma returned with good bowling figures (2/27 in 4) as the rest struggled. Ferguson went for 19 runs in 1.4 overs while Andre Russell conceded 17 runs in his only over. Sunil Narine and Shardul Thakur were both lacklustre in the game against Mumbai.
“They targeted our best bowlers and it paid off for them. We could have done better in the powerplay. I would want my bowling unit to deliver more. Anyone can have a bad game or two but it is happening consistently with us. We will go back to the dressing room and talk about it,” Rana said after the loss to Mumbai Indians in the last game.
To arrest the slide, KKR can bring back an experienced campaigner like Tim Southee. In that case, he will bench his fellow Kiwi teammate Ferguson for a direct swap. The other option is to stick to the Indian bowling attack and add David Weise in the mix for Ferguson.
Kolkata Knight Riders Playing XI
- Jason Roy/Litton Das
- Venkatesh Iyer
- N Jagadeesan (WK)
- Nitish Rana (C)
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Sunil Narine
- Shardul Thakur
- Umesh Yadav
- Lockie Ferguson/ Tim Southee/ David Weise
- Varun Chakaravarthy
Kolkata Knight Riders Subs: Suyash Sharma, David Wiese, Anukul Roy, Mandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), N Jagadeesan, Nitish Rana(c), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, Suyash Sharma, Lockie Ferguson, Varun Chakaravarthy, Venkatesh Iyer, Tim Southee, Mandeep Singh, Jason Roy, Litton Das, David Wiese, Anukul Roy, Kulwant Khejroliya, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Aarya Desai
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