IPL 2021: I think we will have the advantage against Delhi Capitals – Shubman Gill

Kolkata Knight Riders opening batter Shubman Gill reckons his team will have the advantage against Delhi Capitals in the second qualifier.

KKR booked their place in the qualifier after they defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday by four wickets.

The Eoin Morgan-led team has played three matches at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the second phase and they have won all their matches. The Sharjah pitch is providing assistance to the spinners and the likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sunil Narine have done a fine job for KKR. The trio has kept the scoring rate under control and has also provided crucial breakthroughs.

Narine was at his best against RCB as he scalped four wickets and conceded only 21 runs. Furthermore, Chakravarthy and Shakib Al Hasan have delivered the goods for the team.

Moreover, Lockie Ferguson has troubled the opposition batters with his extra pace. Thus, the KKR bowling line-up has been right on the money and they have played a key role in the team’s success.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill has been in good form in the last couple of matches. Gill scored 29 runs off just 18 balls against RCB and helped his team get off to a brisk start in the Eliminator on Monday.

Gill said after the match, “Big win for us. When we were coming into the second leg not many gave us a chance of qualifying and getting to the playoffs. But the way everyone has played is tremendous and hopefully, we will carry on the good form. I didn’t have the best first leg in India but I knew that I was batting well and just a matter of spending time in the middle, that was the conversation with the coach. They [DC] are a really balanced team as we see it and hopefully, we will give another cracker of a game. This was our third match here and coming again here we know what to expect from this wicket and I think right now everyone is adjusted to how the pitch plays and the conditions. I think we would have an edge against the Delhi Capitals. The first powerplay was totally against us but the way we came back with Varun and Sunny [Narine] bowling in the middle overs was tremendous, getting those key wickets and building pressure on them”.

KKR will look to bring their best to the table in the big match against Delhi Capitals and it will be an interesting battle between the two in-form teams.