IPL 2020: Match 16: DC vs KKR preview: Focus on Pant and Russell in potential battle of sixes

Sharjah, October 2: After 62 sixes in two matches, Sharjah Cricket Stadium is all set to host Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in what promises to be another six-hitting contest in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Saturday (October 3).

The main focus of match 16 of IPL 2020 will be on KKR all-rounder Andre Russell's brute power which meets its match in DC wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant's fearless approach.

While Russell gave a glimpse of what is in store with three sixes on a big Dubai ground against Rajasthan Royals, Pant will be itching to throw caution to the winds and play his natural game of destructive edge of the seat hitting.

In fact, Pant needs it more than Russell as three of his peers, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson have all got runs under their belt, something that the beefy man from Roorkee so desperately needs.

This will be the first weekend of double headers in the IPL and there couldn't have been a better ground for that than Sharjah with ridiculously short boundaries promising another run-fest.

If there is Shubman Gill, Russell and Eoin Morgan in one side, there is Pant, Marcus Stoinis and Shreyas Iyer on the other end, all capable big-hitters and ever-ready to add to the whopping 62 sixes that has been hit on this ground in the two games held there so far.

KKR have been slowly getting into the groove with some comprehensive performances while Capitals, after two fine victories, hit a roadblock against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their last outing.

For the Knights, their young pace attack of Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi will have their task cut out on a batting paradise where their temperament will be put to test.

In Sharjah, a bowler is destined to go for runs and how the two manage that and try subtle variations will be key to KKR's success.

KKR is unlikely to tinker with their winning combination even though Sunil Narine as an opener hasn't worked well for them in the three games with only 24 runs scored by the Trinidad all-rounder.

However, he has bowled his full quota of overs in three games with a decent under 8 economy rate and two wickets.

There is Tom Banton as a reserve opener but keeping the dimensions of the Sharjah ground into equation, KKR will retain Narine provided he can attack the weak link in the DC attack which obviously will be an Indian pacer - be it Mohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma or Avesh Khan.

The problem with most of the Indian pacers in DC is either back of the length or length balls which is cannon fodder on Sharjah strip, something bowling coach Ryan Harris would like to work on.

In their batting department, Shimron Hetmyer is yet to fire but again the same formula that applies to Narine in KKR is also applicable on the former West Indies U-19 World Cup winning captain, provided he can take on Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.

Hetmyer has had some degree of success against Kuldeep in the international games and it could be an engaging contest provided he gets a chance to bat on a track where history always favours the top four batters from either side.

Match start at 7.30 PM IST on Saturday (October3)

Live on Star Sports Network

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