Despite having two titles to their name, KKR are notorious for their inconsistency in the IPL. In the six editions of the tournament when they didn’t end up claiming the silverware, only once did they even make it through to the semi-finals.
The Daredevils have not fared much better over the years in terms of qualification from the group stage of the tournament, having also made it through to the knockout phase three times like Sunday’s opponents. However, DD have never appeared in a Grand Final, with two third place finishes, the most recent being in 2012, and a fourth place, being their best efforts to date.
KKR will have to show a greater mental strength this season, than they did last year, if they wish to win back the trophy. They had opportunities to qualify for the last four in 2015, but needing to win just one of their last two fixtures, failed to do so.
Their strength was in their home form in 2015, losing just once in front of their own fans, and they will hope that they can take the form forward into the Daredevils contest on Sunday.
KKR will now be coached by the ultra competitive and abrasive South African, Jacque Kallis, now retired from playing, and having taken over from the departed Trevor Bayliss, now coaching the English national team.
With Kallis being familiar to the players and the management, and having only made a few minor tweaks to their squad, KKR appear to be one of the most settled sides in the tournament, and could be serious challengers in the coming weeks.