DLF IPL 5

                                                                 Play Off :   KKR Vs DD

Here is the first qualifier of IPL 5 at Pune’s Sahara Stadium between Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders .

Delhi finished the group stage on top with 11 wins, while Kolkata came in a close second with 10 wins. Both teams are going into the match high on confidence; Delhi more so, because of the return to form of their batsman Ross Taylor. The New Zealand captain has scored a worthless 162 runs in 10 matches, but come apart to life with a 26-ball 55 against Royal ChallengersBangalore last week to inspire confidence in himself and the team. Taylor's extended failure with the bat had Delhi's captain Virender Sehwag worried but he would be a relieved man now, knowing that one of the most dangerous batsmen in Twenty20 cricket could be back to his best.

Delhi's batting this season has been awesome. Delhi's bowling matches their batting.

Kolkata boasts of a dreadful bowling unit too, but the batting has been a concern. However, Kolkata's bowling makes up for the few weaknesses in the batting department.. In Kolkata's last two matches against Pune Warriors India and Mumbai Indians, the three combined superbly to defend modest totals of 136 and 140 respectively.

Kolkata's fast bowlers may not have been as effective as their spinners but they cannot be discounted. Clearly, there is not much to choose between the two teams and the outcome of the match will be heavily influenced by the nature of the hit in Pune. However, a loss won't be the end of the road for either team as they will get to play another qualifier on May 25 against the losers of the tie between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai on May 23.