IPL 2017: Delhi Daredevils v Gujarat Lions, Game 42– Match Result Predictions

Delhi Daredevils will be bolstered after their well-earned victory against the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad and will be keen to keep their winning streak going if they harbour any hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. The frontrunners for the 4 spots in playoffs are Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rising Pune Supergiant but a late surge from Mumbai might just bring them back in the reckoning for the play-offs.

It was a great batting effort by the Daredevils to chase the stiff target of 186 set by Hyderabad as the young guns chipped in with valuable contributions while Corey Anderson played the match changing knock of unbeaten 41 runs which ensured DD chased the target down with 5 balls remaining. They have a pretty experienced bowling line-up and the exclusion of Pat Cummins proves the depth in their bowling department.

The absence of Zaheer Khan hasn’t affected them apart from captaincy. His replacement Mohammed Shami was exceptional yesterday and bagged the Man of the Match award for his spell of 2/36 in his 4 overs. An international star of Shami’s calibre has been warming the benches which are definitely a poor sight especially as India flies to England immediately after the IPL concludes and Shami will be an integral part of their set up.

Gujarat Lions, on the other hand, has been virtually ruled out of the tournament. They will be playing for pride and in the process, if they get an outside chance of qualifying, it will definitely be a bonus for them but for that to happen they have to win all their remaining 4 encounters and then sit back and hope other results go their way. They have some serious power hitters in their ranks with the likes of Brendon McCullum, Aaron Finch and Suresh Raina but still, have failed to seize their opportunity at crucial junctures of the game.

Their bowling line-up comprises of some promising young guns. Especially Basil Thampi has impressed one and all with his raw pace and will look to continue his good work. Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t been able to replicate his performance from the Test matches to ODI’s which has hurt his franchise badly. He has leaked runs and hasn’t been the ideal all-rounder in the side. With more than 20 hours to go for the 42^nd match of the tournament to commence let us have a look at the match predictions

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:                   

Scenario 1: DD will win the toss

Toss Prediction: DD will choose to bowl

First innings prediction: 165-175

2nd innings Prediction: DD will win by 6 wickets (with 8 balls to spare)

Scenario 2: GL will win the toss

Toss Prediction: GL choose to bowl

First innings Prediction: 180-190

2nd innings Prediction: DD will win by 18 runs

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches –2, DD Won – 1, GL Won – 2

Both teams are yet to play in this edition so far. In the previous encounter between the two sides at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground last year, DD clinched a nail-biting thriller by a solitary run. Given the two side’s form, it will be an evenly matched contest between them but following Delhi’s impressive showing against Hyderabad, it seems they have their noses slightly ahead.

Team Combinations

Delhi Daredevils

Kagiso Rabada went for 59 runs in their previous match so he is likely to sit out and make way for Pat Cummins who looked impressive in the earlier matches and also against the Test series against India. The rest of the XI is expected to remain the same.

Predicted XI: Sanju Samson, Karun Nair (C), Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Angelo Mathews, Corey Anderson, Chris Morris, Jayant Yadav, Amit Mishra, Pat Cummins, Mohammed Shami

Gujarat Lions

Despite their below par performances, GL is expected to retain the same XI. They actually don’t have an option as their star players haven’t lived up to their reputation. Ravindra Jadeja has failed to replicate his Test performances into the shortest format and has gone for plenty.

Predicted XI: Ishan Kishan, Brendon McCullum, Suresh Raina (C), Aaron Finch, Dinesh Karthik, Dwayne Smith, James Faulkner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ankit Soni, Pradeep Sangwan, Basil Thampi

Given the form of both teams, it will be an even contest but DD has their noses slightly ahead given their team combination.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.

Note: This is purely the author’s take