Capitals to sneak past improving Kings XI

It took a super over to separate them last time out, but I don’t think it will be as tight on Tuesday night when the Kings XI Punjab meet the Delhi Capitals again. Despite their improvement in the recent few games, the Punjab based team are facing up against a side who have got the winning formula this year.

Feast or famine

One of the main reasons for the success that the Delhi Capitals have had this year is the consistency of openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan, but they were anything but consistent in their win over the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday. It was the second duck in a row for Shaw who has only faced three balls in his last two matches, he has seemingly fallen drastically out of form following his impressive start to this years IPL. Luckily, for Shaw and the Capitals it was Dhawan who produced the fireworks with a breath-taking 101* with 14 fours which saw the Delhi side over the line with just one ball left.

In the first innings it was the same old trio with the ball doing the damage with Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje both taking wickets and bowling with some real heat. Axar Patel continued his economical trait to go for just 23 runs from his four overs. Patel then turned his attention to the bat and hit a crucial cameo of 21* from just five balls to accompany Dhawan at the end of the match.

Small signs of improvement

Kings XI Punjab followed up their win over RCB with a win over the reigning champions the Mumbai Indians, but it took two super overs for them to get there. They bowled fairly well and made sure they Mumbai didn’t get off to a fast start with wickets in the powerplay. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers with 2-30 from his four overs and was supported well by Arshdeep Singh who also took two wickets.

Chasing 177 to win Kings XI never looked in any real trouble as they chipped away at their target. They got to 75 by the time they lost their second wicket with Chris Gayle back in the hut for 24 but captain KL Rahul shown his class again in this year’s IPL with 77.

Once Rahul went, they stuttered and ended up needing a super over to decide the winner. Kings XI only set Mumbai six to win but they failed to reach the target meaning another super over was needed. Chris Jordan bowled it and conceded two wides as Kings XI needed 12 to win. Gayle and Mayank got the job done and secured two valuable points for Kings XI.

Kings XI will be desperate to avoid another super over in this year’s IPL, but I can’t see them getting a win in this one, the Delhi Capitals will be too strong.

Match Tip

Despite their win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and victory over the Mumbai Indians, I think beating this well drilled Delhi Capitals side will be one step too far for the Kings XI.

I am backing the Delhi Capitals to beat the Kings XI Punjab at 1.75 with LeoVeags.

Bet Delhi Capitals to win on LeoVegas