IPL 10, Match 42, DD v GL – Delhi Daredevils Predicted XI

They might be 6th in the points table with just 3 wins out of 9 games but Delhi Daredevils are still in contention for the playoffs. The victory in their last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad two nights ago was a proof of how desperate the DD side is to qualify further. Chasing a stiff 186 on a wicket which was gripping and turning, DD came out all guns blazing.

Attack is the best form of defence as they say and Delhi did just that at their home ground. Sunrisers bowling attack is one of the best going around in the IPL but Daredevils were not bothered as they won the game with 6 wickets intact. Gujarat Lions season has been a stark contrast of their exploits in 2016. The Suresh Raina-led side is at the 7th position in the points table and now faces a stern challenge of locking horns with Delhi at home.

This will be a do-or-die game for both teams for a defeat here, will end the respective franchise’s campaign. With a refreshing win in the last game, Delhi won’t tinker much with their Playing XI, though they will fiddle with the idea of including Shahbaz Nadeem in their side. Here is the Predicted XI for DD:

Openers (Sanju Samson and Karun Nair)   

Both youngsters gave Delhi the perfect start in their tall chase adding 40 runs in 25 balls. Daredevils will be relieved to see Nair getting runs against Sunrisers the other night. The triple centurion came out fighting and hit his way into some form. His 20-ball 39 laid the platform for the home team to clinch an easy 6-wicket win.

Samson too showed glimpses of his talents in a sparkling inning of 24. Both, though, would have loved to carry on and finish the job themselves. Samson and Nair are going to be the opening combination of Delhi for the rest of the season.

Middle Order (Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Angelo Mathews)

Pant’s whirlwind innings of 34 made sure that the openers’ good work doesn’t go to waste as the left-hander came out attacking at No. 3. All of just 19, Pant must look to build on these starts if he wants to start knocking the doors of the selectors. Iyer too enjoyed his time in the middle with a slap-happy knock of 33. Again, failing to capitalise on such starts will put too much pressure on the other batsmen to follow.

A seasoned international cricket, Angelo Mathews has been underused by the DD. He was slotted to bat at No. 7 in the last game which is not ideal. A person of his class and quality must be utilised more by Delhi. He is capable of building an innings and then exploding at the end which he has done for Sri Lanka for a number of years now.

All-rounders (Corey Anderson and Chris Morris)

After enjoying success with both bat and ball earlier in the season, Morris has struggled a little in both departments in the last few games. He needs to start peaking again as DD needs a push to qualify further in IPL 2017. Anderson did his reputation no harm with a blistering 24-ball 41, which included three maximums. He is someone on whom DD has trusted and invested a lot and must start repaying the faith to the Daredevils’ team management.

Bowlers (Mohammed Shami, Amit Mishra, Pat Cummins and Shahbaz Nadeem)

Despite doing a reasonable job against Sunrisers, Jayant Yadav might lose his place for Shahbaz Nadeem. Horses for courses as they say! Yadav was picked because of the presence of 3 left-handers in Sunrisers top 3 and Nadeem is expected to get the nod ahead due to the non-presence of too many left-handers in the GL Team.

Cummins did exceptional well whenever he got a chance and is expected to replace Kagiso Rabada after the South African had a tough game against the Warner-led Hyderabad., finishing with 0/59 in four overs.

Mohammed Shami and Amit Mishra – two experienced Indian bowlers in DD – will hold on to their spots in the XI because of good performances over a considerable period of time. Mishra’s variety and speed variations will be crucial at the Feroz Shah Kotla wicket, which is generally towards the slower side over extreme summers. Shami, who was the man of the match in DD’s last game will continue to play against Gujarat Lions’ as Zaheer Khan’s replacement.