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The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the reigning champions, will look to bounce back from their recent struggles as they take on a dominant Delhi Capitals (DC) side in Match 48 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The match is scheduled for April 29 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi , starting at 7:30 PM IST . Delhi Capitals have been in impressive form this season, sitting comfortably in the top four with six wins in nine matches, while KKR find themselves languishing in seventh place with just three wins to show for.
In their last encounter earlier this season, KKR managed to chase down DC’s modest 153-run total with seven wickets in hand, thanks to controlled batting and disciplined bowling led by Varun Chakravarthy. However, DC has since regrouped and looks stronger, especially with KL Rahul back in form and Axar Patel leading confidently. With home advantage and momentum on their side, Delhi will be aiming to level the score against the struggling KKR.
While both teams possess strong lineups, the battle between KL Rahul and the KKR spin trio could decide the game’s outcome. Let’s dive deeper into both team previews ahead of this crucial clash.
MATCH DETAILS
| Match | Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders |
|---|---|
| Match No | 48 |
| Date | April 29, 2025 |
| Venue | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Tournament | Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 |
| Live Streaming | Disney+ Hotstar / JioCinema |
| Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
TEAM PREVIEWS
Delhi Capitals Preview
Delhi Capitals have maintained a decent rhythm throughout the tournament and are currently placed fourth in the points table with 12 points from nine matches . Their balanced lineup includes high-quality batters like KL Rahul, who has been in sublime form this season, scoring 364 runs in 8 innings at an average of 60 and a strike rate of 146 . Abhishek Porel and Faf du Plessis provide explosive starts, while Karun Nair ensures stability in the middle overs.
Axar Patel continues to lead the side with composure and contributes with both bat and ball. His ability to rotate the strike and pick up key wickets makes him indispensable. Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Verma provide depth and firepower in the death overs.
Mitchell Starc and Kuldeep Yadav form a lethal bowling duo. Starc has taken 11 wickets , while Kuldeep maintains an impressive economy of 6.55 and has picked up 12 scalps so far. Mukesh Kumar adds variety and control.
With a favorable track and a motivated squad, Delhi will aim to capitalize on their current form and secure a win to strengthen their playoff chances.
Kolkata Knight Riders Preview
Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions, are having a forgettable campaign so far. They’ve managed only three wins in nine games , placing them seventh in the standings with seven points . Despite possessing a star-studded lineup, consistency has been their biggest challenge.
Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz open the innings, offering aggressive starts, but inconsistency has cost them dearly. Ajinkya Rahane remains their most reliable batter, accumulating 271 runs at a strike rate of 146 , making him their highest run-getter. Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rinku Singh offer some fight in the middle order, but Andre Russell has failed to fire this season with only 55 runs in six innings .
The bowling department relies heavily on Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy. Chakravarthy, with an economy of 6.85 , remains KKR’s most economical bowler and can turn the game with his variations. Vaibhav Arora provides decent support but lacks sharpness.
Despite a rich history and experience, KKR’s lack of form and confidence puts them at a disadvantage. A victory here is crucial for their playoff hopes, but Delhi’s momentum may prove too strong for the visitors.
FAVOURITE TEAM TO WIN TODAY’S MATCH
| Team | Why |
|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | Delhi comes into this clash with better form, confidence, and the advantage of playing at home. KL Rahul’s stellar performances, along with a consistent bowling attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav and Mitchell Starc, give DC the upper edge. KKR, on the other hand, has struggled with both batting and bowling consistency. Unless there’s a major turnaround in performance, Delhi is likely to come out on top. |
FANTASY TEAM XI
| Player Name | Role | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| KL Rahul | Batter | DC | Top scorer for DC; consistent performer with 3 fifties and 16 sixes. |
| Abhishek Porel | Batter | DC | Aggressive opener with high strike rate (150+) and short boundaries. |
| Ajinkya Rahane | Batter | KKR | KKR’s best batter this season; scores under pressure. |
| Karun Nair | Batter | DC | Provides stability and can accelerate when needed. |
| Tristan Stubbs | All-Rounder | DC | High strike rate (164) and useful lower-order runs. |
| Andre Russell | All-Rounder | KKR | Can change the game with bat or ball; unpredictable but dangerous. |
| Axar Patel | All-Rounder | DC | Captaincy impact + handy with both bat and ball. |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler | KKR | Consistent wicket-taker and good death bowler. |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler | DC | Most economical bowler in DC setup; ideal for fantasy. |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Bowler | KKR | Economical and impactful with variations. |
| Mitchell Starc | Bowler | DC | High wicket-taking potential; swing-friendly conditions suit him. |
This Fantasy XI balances batting firepower, all-round contributions, and proven performers with wickets and strike rates. It emphasizes quality picks over quantity, focusing on players likely to impact the game.
Suggested Fantasy Team Captain & Vice-Captain:
- Captain: KL Rahul (DC) – High run-scorer, safe choice.
- Vice-Captain: Kuldeep Yadav (DC) – Wicket-taking threat with low economy.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Team:
- Andre Russell (KKR): Struggling with form this season; inconsistent returns.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (KKR): Lacks consistency and hasn’t fired in recent matches.
TEAM SQUADS & PROBABLE PLAYING XIs
Delhi Capitals Squad
Faf du Plessis, Abhishek Porel, Karun Nair, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel (c), Tristan Stubbs, Ashutosh Verma, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Lalit Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Dubey, Manish Pandey.
| Delhi Capitals Probable Playing XI |
|---|
| Faf du Plessis |
| Abhishek Porel |
| Karun Nair |
| KL Rahul (wk) |
| Axar Patel (c) |
| Tristan Stubbs |
| Ashutosh Verma |
| Mitchell Starc |
| Dushmantha Chameera |
| Kuldeep Yadav |
| Mukesh Kumar |
Kolkata Knight Riders Squad
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy, Angelo Mathews, Nitish Rana, Tim Southee, Shahbaz Ahmed, Anukul Roy.
| Kolkata Knight Riders Probable Playing XI |
|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
| Sunil Narine |
| Ajinkya Rahane (c) |
| Venkatesh Iyer |
| Rinku Singh |
| Moeen Ali |
| Andre Russell |
| Ramandeep Singh |
| Harshit Rana |
| Vaibhav Arora |
| Varun Chakravarthy |
PITCH REPORT: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Batting Conditions: Excellent for strokeplay, especially in the powerplay.
- Spin Bowling: Effective in the middle overs.
- Pace Bowling: Gets help early due to swing; late movement also possible.
- Pitch Type: High-scoring surface with smaller boundaries.
- Average Score: ~165–170 on a good day.
This pitch favors batsmen , particularly those adept at clearing the ropes. Spinners can exploit the middle overs, while pacers benefit from early assistance.
TOSS PREDICTION
- Predicted Winner of Toss: Kolkata Knight Riders
- Decision: Likely to bowl first after winning the toss, given that chasing teams have won more games at this venue in T20 cricket.
WINNER PREDICTION
| Team | Prediction Reason |
|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | Stronger overall form, home advantage, and better balance in batting and bowling. KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav are in excellent form. KKR, despit |
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