Embarrassed in their last match, Kolkata Knight Riders will have to shake off mediocrity if they want to avoid further humiliation when they face the mighty Delhi Capitals in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

A change of captain has not really instilled much confidence among the Knights, as was evident in their last match, against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where they were shot out for just 84 and consequently faced a crushing defeat.

Shreyas Iyer-captained Capitals have proven to be an even stronger team than Royal Challengers and therein lies the danger for Eoin Morgan’s Knights.

Knight Riders have too many loose end to take care of. Their batting in tatters, their bowling listless, Morgan will have to sort things out quickly if they aspire to stay relevant in the race for IPL playoffs.

Shubman Gill, who had looked solid initially, seems to have lost his way somewhat. He doesn’t have a stable opening partner either and it remains to be seen if Rahul Tripathi is persisted with. Dinesh Karthik has got only one half-century to show this season and Nitish Rana does not merit a place in the XI following a prolonged poor run.

That makes Morgan look very lonely in the batting department. Problem is, they don’t even have proper replacements.

Andre Russell missed the last match with injury, but even if returns to the team, one is not sure how he would perform having done little with the bat in IPL 2020.

In bowling department, it will be interesting to see if spinner Sunil Narine comes back. Speedster Lockie Ferguson’s form, however, is a plus for the team.

Delhi Capitals would be confident despite a defeat in their last outing against Kings XI Punjab. Shikhar Dhawan is in red-hot form having hit back-to-back centuries and the likes of Iyer, Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer too haven’t disappointed with the bat.

Capitals’ potent bowling attack is headed by Kagiso Rabada, who currently tops the wicket-takers’ list this IPL.

Today’s matches

• Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals, Abu Dhabi (3.30pm IST)
• Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Dubai (7.30pm IST)