A run-fest is on the cards as Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host Match 16 of the Dream11 Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday.

DC started their campaign with a Super Over-win against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) before adding one more win to their account, beating Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the next game. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) halted their winning run.

Talking about KKR, they lost their first game of the season against Mumbai Indians (MI). But the Dinesh Karthik-led unit bounced back in style, registering two wins on the bounce against SRH and Rajasthan Royals (RR).

So far in this season, the Sharjah venue has proved to be a paradise for the batsmen, and with both DC and KKR having some of the biggest hitters in their line-ups, it will make for an interesting contest. Here’s our list of players who could deliver the goods in this game.

Rishabh Pant

The wicketkeeper-batsman has not had any big runs against his name this season and Sharjah could be the place where Rishabh Pant could score big. The left-hander would be looking forward to batting long and clearing the fence and what could be a better venue than Sharjah to do that.

Andre Russell

While Andre Russell could not go past 24 during KKR’s game against RR, there were three trademark Russell sixes. The West Indian big-hitter will be itching to go big in Sharjah and if he comes good, KKR will be in with a chance to put up a huge score on the board.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada, who has seven wickets against his name, needs just two wickets away from owning the Purple Cap. The right-arm pacer currently has the economy rate below 7 and while Sharjah is expected to favour the batsmen, Rabada, with speed and accuracy, will be someone who can turn the game on its head.

Shreyas Iyer

The DC skipper will be keen to have a good outing with the bat as his side eyes a return to winning ways and register its third win of the season. While Iyer got the starts in two games against KXIP and CSK, he is yet to play an innings where he has scored fifty or a ton and what better occasion than their game against KKR to score big.  

Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan has done a fine job with the bat during KKR’s last two games, once in the chase against SRH and when KKR were setting up the target against RR. While the England limited-overs skipper can anchor the innings, he can go hammer and tongs with utter ease as well. KKR will hope that Morgan has another successful outing as they face DC.

Wild Card

Kamlesh Nagarkoti

He did not have any wickets to show after his first IPL game against SRH, but Kamlesh Nagarkoti was highly impressive against RR. The right-arm pacer picked two wickets, held on to two catches and was one of the key performers during the KKR’s win against the Steve Smith-led side. KKR will hope that Nagarkoti continues his good run against DC.

Stats

• DC at this venue: Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1
• KKR at this venue: Played 1, Lost 1

Approaching Milestones

• Amit Mishra requires 1 wicket to complete 100 IPL wickets for Delhi franchise.
• Rishabh Pant needs 4 sixes for 100 IPL sixes.
• Andre Russell needs 65 runs to complete 1500 IPL runs.
• Dinesh Karthik needs 39 runs to complete 1000 IPL runs as captain.