Final hurdle on route to final
The end is in sight as the last place in the final is up for grabs as the Delhi Capitals take on the Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 2. Two pretty evenly matched teams will face off for a place in the biggest game in franchise cricket, where they will meet the impressive Chennai Super Kings on Friday night.
Second bite of the cherry
For the Delhi Capitals, Wednesdays match is their second attempt to get through to the final, after losing to CSK in Qualifier 1 on Sunday night. The Capitals would have been pretty happy at the halfway point, after putting a more than competitive 172 on the board. This was largely due to half centuries from Prithvi Shaw (60), Rishabh Pant (51*) and a lower order 37 from Shimron Hetmyer.
They took the wicket of Faf du Plessis early but a 110 run stand between Ruturaj Gaikwad and Robin Uthappa swung the momentum in the way of the Super Kings. The legend that is MS Dhoni chipped in with 18 from 6 to get them over the line, and leave the Capitals with more work to do if they are to make it in to the final.
Bowlers union
It was the bowlers who stepped up and did the business for the Kolkata Knight Riders in their four wicket victory over the Royal Challengers Bangalore. In particular Sunil Narine who took 4-21 from his four overs, including the wickets of Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers.
Narine’s excellence meant that KKR were only chasing down 139, which they got too in the final over after steady contributions from most of their batsmen. They will be hoping that a win last time out will help them keep momentum going in to what could be a fantastic final week in the IPL.
Match Tip
It really is set up to be a tight match, with both teams showing their class throughout the competition, but due to the fact that the Knight Riders go in to this one on the back of an impressive win, I am going to back them to reach the final.
That is why I am backing the Kolkata Knight Riders to beat the Delhi Capitals and reach the final of the Indian Premier League at 1.87 with Betway.
Post bet chat Jack's Tips:
KKR got the job done in dramatic fashion to reach the final.