What

Match 42 of Pepsi IPL 2015 will see the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders lock horns with the Delhi Daredevils.

Heading into this match, three points separates the two teams; KKR have 11 points (courtesy five wins and one point from their washed out match against Rajasthan Royals), while DD have eight points from their four wins.

KKR certainly begin as favourites, for they head into this match at the back of a 35-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, and will be playing in their own backyard. The Delhi Daredevils have blown hot and cold this season, and the time has now come for them to start piling on the wins on the bounce. In their most recent match against the Mumbai Indians, DD put up a fighting total on the board and made their opponents work for it; but Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard exploded at just the right time to deny them two points.

When

07 May 2015, 8p.m. IST

Where

Eden Gardens, Kolkata

The Protagonists

KKR’s template to success – on the batting front - is that either of their openers anchor the innings and accumulate the runs at one end, while the other stroke-makers chip in with cameos. Among the two openers too, Gautam Gambhir has applied the formula consistently – often batting well into the second half of the innings. KKR will be pleased to see that the other opener – Robin Uthappa – too has hit the straps and is among the runs.

There were glimpses of the vintage Yuvraj Singh in the left-hander’s half-century against the Mumbai Indians. For the Delhi Daredevils to do well, they need a consistent run of big scores from the 33-year old, and support from skipper JP Duminy and the rest of the batting lineup.

Contests to look-forward to

One can expect plenty of overs from the spin bowlers on the two sides given the reputation of the pitch at the Eden Gardens. Hence, it will be interesting to see which team’s spinners cause the most damage. KKR have the 44-year old Brad Hogg – who has tied up many batsmen in the season – and Piyush Chawla for support, while DD have the immensely successful Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra.

Previous Meetings

The Kolkata Knight Riders have an 8-6 win-loss record from 15 previous clashes against the Delhi Daredevils. One match in the inaugural season in 2008 – in Delhi - was forced to be abandoned without a ball being bowled because of showers.

In the most recent meeting between the two teams in Delhi on April 20, the Kolkata Knight Riders rode on skipper Gautam Gambhir’s half-century to chase down a modest target of 147 to win by six wickets.

Trivia

The Kolkata Knight Riders have won their last seven run-chases in IPL matches at the Eden Gardens. Overall, they have prevailed in 16 of the 20 IPL matches they have chased at the Eden Gardens.

In each of the six matches the KKR captain Gautam Gambhir has won the toss in Pepsi IPL 2015, he has opted to bowl first. KKR have won four of these six matches.

What Next

Both teams will be seen in action next on May 9. Next up for the Kolkata Knight Riders are Kings XI Punjab. The Delhi Daredevils meanwhile head to their adopted home venue – Ranchi – to host Sunrisers Hyderabad.