by This isn’t just another league match. Delhi versus Karnataka today is a playoff elimination game disguised as a regular fixture.
Both teams have 8 points from 4 matches in Elite Group D of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. But look closer at the numbers, and you’ll see why one team sleeps easily while the other sweats bullets.
Karnataka sits at 3rd position with a sparkling +1.766 net run rate. They’ve won their battles convincingly. Delhi occupies 4th spot with a worrying -0.633 NRR. That 2.4 difference is enormous in tournament mathematics.
For Karnataka, even a narrow win today keeps them firmly in playoff contention. For Delhi, they need a massive victory—not just any win, but a statement win that repairs their damaged run rate.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The pressure couldn’t be greater. And for fantasy cricket players, the opportunities couldn’t be better.
DEL vs KAR Dream11 Prediction Today Match
This DEL vs KAR Dream11 Prediction Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 04 Dec 2025 expert guide gives you deep insights, strategic picks, and winning combinations based on data, form, and match conditions.
Match Snapshot: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | Delhi vs Karnataka |
| Tournament | Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 |
| Group | Elite Group D |
| Date & Time | Dec 4, 2025 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium Ground B, Ahmedabad |
| Match Type | Elite Group League (Playoff Implications) |
| Delhi Position | 4th (8 points, -0.633 NRR) |
| Karnataka Position | 3rd (8 points, +1.766 NRR) |
| Pressure Level | EXTREME (Both teams need win) |
| Expected Total | 190-210 runs |
Pitch Report: Narendra Modi Stadium Ground B
| Pitch Factor | Data | Fantasy Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Hard, batting-friendly | Batters dominate |
| Average Score | 197 runs (last 5 T20s) | High-scoring match |
| 1st Innings Avg | 202 runs | Batting first productive |
| 2nd Innings Avg | 192 runs | Chasing 10 runs harder |
| Pace Wickets | 30 wickets (51%) | Pick 2 quality pacers |
| Spin Wickets | 29 wickets (49%) | Pick 2 spinners too |
| Powerplay Avg | 52 runs (8.6 RPO) | Aggressive starts |
| Death Overs Avg | 77 runs (12.8 RPO) | Finishers crucial |
| Boundary % | 43% of total runs | Mix running + boundaries |
| Toss Factor | 62% bowl first, 80% win | Toss VERY important |
Expert Analysis:
This pitch rewards positive cricket. Openers who attack in powerplay score big. Middle-order batters who rotate strike in overs 7-15 build platforms. Death-over hitters who clear boundaries in overs 16-20 finish games.
Bowlers need variations. Pace bowlers should use slower balls and yorkers. Spinners should flight the ball and use the big boundaries. Economy rate matters as much as wickets on this high-scoring ground.
Weather Report: Perfect Conditions
| Element | Forecast | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 19°C start, 29°C peak | Comfortable |
| Sky | Clear, sunny | No interruptions |
| Humidity | 57% | Some swing early |
| Wind | 11 km/h (light) | Minimal effect |
| Rain | 0% chance | Full match guaranteed |
| Dew | None (day match) | No chasing advantage |
Expert Insight: Perfect cricket weather means skills decide outcomes. No external factors. No excuses. Pure contest between bat and ball.
Team Form Analysis: Last 4 Matches
Delhi’s Recent Form:
- Match 1: Beat Tripura by 33 runs (DEL 178/6, TRI 145/9)
- Decent win margin, but score below par
- Match 2: Lost to Rajasthan by 7 wickets (DEL 152/7, RAJ 156/3)
- Poor total, hammered in chase
- Match 3: Beat Jharkhand by 17 runs (DEL 165/5, JHA 148/8)
- Another below-par score, barely defended
- Match 4: Lost to Tamil Nadu by 6 wickets (DEL 159/7, TN 162/4)
- Couldn’t defend small total again
Form Pattern: W-L-W-L (Inconsistent, no momentum) Average Score: 163.5 runs (well below the venue’s 197 average) Problem Areas: Middle-order batting, death bowling
Karnataka’s Recent Form:
- Match 1: Lost to Saurashtra by 5 wickets (KAR 156/8, SAU 160/5)
- Close loss, below-par score
- Match 2: Lost to Tamil Nadu by 7 wickets (KAR 142/9, TN 146/3)
- Poor batting collapse
- Match 3: Beat Rajasthan by 24 runs (KAR 189/5, RAJ 165/9)
- Excellent score, big win margin
- Match 4: Beat Jharkhand by 17 runs (KAR 195/4, JHA 178/7)
- Near 200 score, convincing defense
Form Pattern: L-L-W-W (Building momentum) Average Score: 170.5 runs (improving trend) Last 2 Matches: 189 and 195 (both near venue average)
Expert Verdict: Karnataka’s momentum is real. Their last two scores (189, 195) show they’re adapting to high-scoring conditions. Delhi’s scores (165, 159 recently) suggest they’ll struggle to post competitive totals.
Key Fantasy Factors: What Decides This Match
Factor 1: Powerplay Impact (Overs 1-6)
Venue Average: 52 runs in powerplay (8.6 RPO)
- Karnataka’s Powerplay Strength:
Devdutt Padikkal and Mayank Agarwal both attack from ball one. They scored 45-50 runs in powerplay in their last two matches. If they get 60+ today against Delhi’s pace attack, Karnataka could post 200+.
Fantasy Strategy: Pick both Karnataka openers. Also pick Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini who bowl in powerplay and can take early wickets.
Factor 2: Death Overs (Overs 16-20)
Venue Average: 77 runs in death overs (12.8 RPO)
- Karnataka’s Death Batting:
They have power-hitters like Abhinav Manohar and Manish Pandey who can clear big Ahmedabad boundaries. In their last match vs Jharkhand, they scored 83 runs in last 5 overs!
- Delhi’s Death Bowling Weakness:
Delhi’s economy in overs 16-20 this tournament is over 10 runs per over. They lack quality death bowlers. Karnataka will target this.
Fantasy Strategy: Pick Karnataka’s middle-order batters (Manohar, Pandey) for grand leagues. They’ll score big at the death.
Factor 3: Spin Threat in Middle Overs
Venue Stats: 29 wickets to spinners (49% of total)
- Karnataka’s Spin Advantage:
Shreyas Gopal (leg-spinner) and Praveen Dubey (left-arm orthodox) both bowl in middle overs (7-15). This is where Delhi’s middle order is weakest. Expect 2-3 wickets to Karnataka spinners.
- Delhi’s Spin Options:
Hrithik Shokeen is their main spinner but lacks experience. Lalit Yadav bowls part-time spin. Not enough firepower to trouble Karnataka’s strong batting.
Fantasy Strategy: Pick Shreyas Gopal. He’s a wicket-taker in the middle overs and can bat too (all-rounder value).
DEL vs KAR Dream11 Prediction Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Deep Expert Analysis
Let’s break down the DEL vs KAR Dream11 Prediction with expert reasoning:
Why Karnataka Are 60-40 Favorites:
- 1. Net Run Rate Advantage (+1.766 vs -0.633)
This 2.4 difference tells you Karnataka wins bigger and loses smaller. They’re the better team in pressure situations.
- 2. Momentum (Won Last 2 Matches)
Sports psychology research shows teams on winning streaks perform 23% better than teams with alternating results. Karnataka has W-W momentum. Delhi has W-L-W-L inconsistency.
- 3. Recent Scores Match Venue Average
Karnataka’s last 2 scores: 189, 195 (both near 197 venue average) Delhi’s last 2 scores: 165, 159 (30+ runs below venue average)
This is huge. Karnataka knows how to score on high-scoring pitches. Delhi doesn’t.
- 4. Superior Top-Order Batting
Padikkal (180 runs, 36 avg) + Mayank (international star) > Rawat (163 runs, 32.6 avg) + Dhull (inconsistent)
Karnataka’s opening partnership averages 45 runs. Delhi averages 32 runs. On a 197-average pitch, that 13-run gap becomes 20-25 by innings’ end.
- 5. Better Death Batting
Karnataka has finishers (Manohar, Pandey). Delhi’s lower order can’t hit big. On a ground where death overs average 77 runs, having finishers is match-winning.
Why Delhi Can Still Win (40% Chance):
- 1. Quality Pace Attack
Ishant Sharma (experienced) + Navdeep Saini (pace) can trouble any batting lineup in power play. If they get Padikkal and Mayank early (both under 20), Karnataka could fold for 150-160.
- 2. Desperation Factor
Never underestimate desperate teams. Delhi knows they MUST win big. This urgency can produce fearless cricket that catches opponents off guard.
- 3. Won Last H2H Meeting
Delhi chased down Karnataka’s 136 with 8 wickets to spare in October 2023. That psychological edge matters.
- 4. Nitish Rana’s All-Round Value
Rana (55 runs + 3 wickets) is a match-winner with both bat and ball. If he scores 40 and takes 2 wickets, Delhi wins.
Fantasy Cricket Strategy: High-Risk vs Safe Picks
Safe Picks (Must Have in Every Team):
- ✅ Devdutt Padikkal (KAR) – 180 runs, 36 avg, opens, 70-90 points expected
- ✅ Anuj Rawat (DEL) – 163 runs, wicketkeeper bonus, consistent 60-80 points
- ✅ Nitish Rana (DEL) – All-rounder, bat + bowl, 50-110 point range
- ✅ Ishant Sharma (DEL) – 3 wickets, powerplay bowler, 45-65 points
- ✅ Karun Nair (KAR) – 82 runs, anchor role, 40-60 points
Why These Are Safe:
These players have consistent track records this tournament. They score/take wickets regularly. Low variance. Safe floor, decent ceiling.
High-Risk, High-Reward Picks (Grand Leagues Only):
⚡ Mayank Agarwal (KAR) – Can score 70-80 but might get out for 10
- High variance: Either explodes or flops
- Low ownership (25-30%): Differential captain material
- Expected range: 20-95 points
⚡ Yash Dhull (DEL) – Young talent, unpredictable
- Low ownership (10-15%): Grand league differential
- Expected range: 15-70 points
⚡ Abhinav Manohar (KAR) – Death-overs finisher
- Bats overs 16-20 (highest run-rate phase)
- Low ownership (8-12%)
- Expected range: 25-75 points
⚡ Manish Pandey (KAR) – Experienced but out of form
- Very low ownership (5-8%)
- If he fires, you jump 1000+ ranks
- Expected range: 10-65 points
When to Use High-Risk Picks:
- Grand leagues (1000+ entries): You NEED differentials to rank top 100
- Multiple teams: Make 3-5 teams with different captains/risky picks
- When safe picks have 40-50% ownership: Stand out with low-owned players
Captain & Vice-Captain Choices: Expert Recommendations
| League Type | Captain Choice | Vice-Captain Choice | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Leagues | Devdutt Padikkal | Anuj Rawat | Consistency wins small leagues |
| Medium Leagues | Devdutt Padikkal | Nitish Rana | Balance consistency + upside |
| Grand Leagues | Mayank Agarwal | Nitish Rana | Need differentials to rank high |
| Risky Strategy | Nitish Rana | Mayank Agarwal | All-rounder captain for huge points |
Expert Captain Analysis:
Devdutt Padikkal (Safe):
- Ownership: 45-50%
- Expected: 70-90 points
- Pros: Consistent, opens batting, safe floor
- Cons: High ownership means less rank jump
Anuj Rawat (Balanced):
- Ownership: 35-40%
- Expected: 60-80 points
- Pros: Wicketkeeper bonus, consistent, moderate ownership
- Cons: Lower ceiling than Padikkal
Mayank Agarwal (Risky):
- Ownership: 25-30%
- Expected: 50-95 points (high variance)
- Pros: Low ownership, explosive potential, differential
- Cons: Might fail (get out under 15)
Nitish Rana (Very Risky):
- Ownership: 15-20%
- Expected: 40-110 points (huge variance)
- Pros: All-rounder points (bat + bowl), very low ownership
- Cons: Inconsistent, might score 20 and take 0 wickets
Head-to-Head Records
| Date | Winner | Delhi Score | Karnataka Score | Margin | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 21, 2023 | Delhi | 137/2 (16.5 ov) | 136/5 (20 ov) | 8 wickets | Delhi |
| Mar 10, 2019 | Karnataka | 109/9 (20 ov) | 112/2 (15.3 ov) | 8 wickets | Bangalore |
Overall Record: 1-1 (Even)
Expert H2H Analysis:
Both previous matches were low-scoring (the highest was 137). Today’s venue averages 197! Completely different conditions.
Both winners chased successfully. Today’s venue has an 80% success rate. Toss becomes critical; the team winning the toss should bowl first.
Delhi won the most recent meeting (2023). Psychological edge to Delhi, but it’s minimal since conditions differ so much.
Likely Playing XIs
Delhi Predicted XI:
- Anuj Rawat (wk) – Opener
- Yash Dhull – Opener
- Ayush Badoni – Top-order
- Nitish Rana – All-rounder
- Lalit Yadav – All-rounder
- Himmat Singh – Middle-order
- Sumit Kumar – All-rounder
- Ishant Sharma – Fast bowler
- Navdeep Saini – Fast bowler
- Hrithik Shokeen – Spinner
- Simarjeet Singh – Fast bowler
Karnataka Predicted XI:
- Devdutt Padikkal – Opener
- Mayank Agarwal – Opener
- Karun Nair – Top-order
- Manish Pandey – Middle-order
- Abhinav Manohar – All-rounder
- Shreyas Gopal – Spin all-rounder
- Praveen Dubey – Spinner
- Vijaykumar Vyshak – Fast bowler
- Vidhwath Kaverappa – Fast bowler
- Vasuki Koushik – Fast bowler
- Vidyadhar Patil – Fast bowler
Conclusion: Build Smart, Win Big
The DEL vs KAR Dream11 Prediction Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 04 Dec 2025 favors Karnataka 60-40, but a smart fantasy strategy matters more than match prediction.
Karnataka has momentum, superior NRR, and a batting lineup suited to this high-scoring venue.
Padikkal, Mayank, and Karun form a formidable top three. Their recent scores (189, 195) prove they can exploit batting-friendly conditions.
Delhi brings quality pace attack and desperation. Ishant and Saini can take early wickets. Nitish Rana provides all-around value. If they fire together, Delhi wins.
For fantasy players, the winning formula is:
- Pick 6 Karnataka + 5 Delhi for balance
- Captain Padikkal (small leagues) or Mayank (grand leagues)
- Include Rana for all-around upside
- Balance 2 pacers + 2 spinners (pitch helps both)
- Watch toss—if Karnataka bowls first, load their bowlers
The match starts at 1:30 PM. The weather is perfect. The pitch is ready. Build your teams wisely, and may your picks dominate!
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