A rampaging Kolkata Knight Riders stand in the way of Delhi Daredevils' revival plan as the two teams, with contrasting runs so far, gear up to clash in an Indian Premier league (IPl) fixture here on Friday.
There has been no stopping KKR as they have 12 points from eight matches at a commanding net run rate of +1.153 while Mumbai Indians, the other form team, have +0.514.
Time is running out fast for DD, who are languishing at seventh in the eight-team standings with four points from six matches.
Delhi have a top-class pace bowling attack in Pat Cummins, Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada.
With Zaheer lending his vast experience and home lad Mohammad Shami's familiarity with the conditions, Daredevils' pace battery would relish the transformed Eden Gardens wicket, which aids pace and bounce.
Countering Sunil Narine up front will be their first task as more often the Trinidadian has successfully bamboozled the opposition with his clean striking at the top of the order.
For DD, half the battle will be won if their pace attack is able to run through the KKR top-order. Shami could be the x-factor in these conditions. It's not only the batsmen who have been doing the job effortlessly for KKR but their spin and pace bowlers have also contributed.
Uthappa may have sealed their chase with a spectacular 47-ball 87 but one cannot discount chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, who has shown great ability so far.