IPL 2017, Match 9, DD v RPS: Delhi Daredevils Predicted XI

It’s quite unfortunate that after nine seasons of the Indian Premier League, all the Delhi Daredevils have done is gain the tag of ‘perennial underachievers’. Misfortune hasn’t left the side as injury woes depleted the Daredevils before they even began the 2017 edition of the tournament. Furthermore, it must be said that the Delhi Daredevils let their previous game slip away from their hands.

From being in the driver’s seat at the end of the first innings, DD collapsed like nine pins from a consolidating position. Young Rishabh Pant’s heroics went in vain, as the Delhi Daredevils continued their miserable form in the IPL.

Nevertheless, come April 11, DD will look to break their habit of losing seemingly easy games as they face off against the Rising Pune Supergiant at the MCA Stadium. The Delhi Daredevils have many positives to take away from their first game of the season.

Skipper Zaheer Khan led from the front in the bowling department, removing the dangerous Kedar Jadhav at a crucial stage of the innings. Chris Morris was once again in the thick of things. He maintained his reputation of a miserly bowler and picked up 3 important wickets, which included that of Chris Gayle. Shahbaz Nadeem was exceptional, giving away a mere 13 runs in his quota of 4 overs.

In the batting department, Rishabh Pant was the lone warrior who stood amidst a flurry of wickets and gave the Daredevils a reasonable chance to win. He showed a lot of character with the bat and his innings was extremely well received by the entire team. The Delhi Daredevils should look to tie up the loose ends against the Supergiant, and that should assure them their first victory of the season.

Here’s a look a CricTracker’s predicted XI for the match against the Rising Pune Supergiant on Tuesday:

Aditya Tare

Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy winning captain Aditya Tare has had a quite IPLs so far, but he is much more than his figures tell. Tare put up some notable performances with the bat during his stint with the Mumbai Indians. He has also been performing consistently in the domestic season. Tare can time the ball to perfection and provide a quick start for the Daredevils while the field restrictions are still on.

Sam Billings

England’s Sam Billings has the ability to strike the ball clean and attack early on in the innings. Although having played only 6 matches, Billings has great potential. For this season of the IPL, he is the only overseas specialist batsman for the Daredevils. Billings will have a crucial role to play up the order in providing DD with a steady start and fire in the latter half of the innings.

Karun Nair

Karun Nair is still living off his spectacular 303 in the Chennai Test against England. He hasn’t been able to show even glimpses of brilliance since that stellar knock. However, he has a healthy strike rate and is a good timer of the ball. He scored 357 runs in the previous edition of the IPL with the highest score of 83 not out. The young Karnataka lad is always a threat, and he is due for a big innings.

Rishabh Pant

The youngster has been a real find for Indian cricket following a string of brilliant performances in the U-19 level. The southpaw showed one and all that he can be a match winner for his side. He is a fierce striker of the ball and can go hammers and tongs. He also provides that late burst in the innings, adding valuable runs to the total.

Sanju Samson

Kerala’s Sanju Samson has failed to replicate that glamour he exhibited during his stay with the Rajasthan Royals. Young Samson is a sweet timer of the ball, and can very easily take the game away within a couple of overs. He has the highest score of 76 in all IPLs and maintains a good strike rate as well. A man who is also pretty decent with the gloves, Samson can fill in for injured Quinton de Kock behind the stumps.

Chris Morris

South Africa’s Chris Morris is easily one of the best all-rounders the IPL has seen. A brilliant bowler whose forte is to give away nothing at the death, Morris can also use the long handle to great effect. The Proteas all-rounder has been outstanding with the ball for the Rajasthan Royals as well as the Chennai Super Kings. The Daredevils, who’ve lost all-rounder Angelo Mathews, will hence heavily depend on Morris to deliver in both departments.

Carlos Brathwaite

This name will be forever etched in the record books for his heroics in the World T20 final. Carlos Brathwaite showed the entire cricketing community that when he hits them, they stay hit. The powerful lad can also chip in with 4 overs as a pacer. Brathwaite can easily provide a quickfire 30 odd runs at the end of the innings with the bat.

Jayant Yadav

Jayant Yadav sprung to fame following his brilliant performance with the ball against England. Yadav has been in and out of the Indian team since making his debut during the England series but has the ability to bowl accurately under T20 conditions. In Yadav, Delhi has a more-than-average batsman, who has a Test 100 under his belt. If the track offers spin and bounce, this offie can get some real purchase from the track.

Ben Hilfenhaus

Australian veteran Ben Hilfenhaus has made a backdoor entry to the IPL this season following the Daredevils injury woes. Hilfenhaus offers decent pace, but his strength lies in getting the ball to move both ways. He is also one of the better exponents of the yorker amongst the current crop of bowlers, which includes the likes of Malinga and Bumrah. Hilfenhaus will bring a world of experience with him, which the Daredevils need desperately given the state of their depleted team.

Shahbaz Nadeem

Shahbaz Nadeem is another bowler who’s cashed in on his opportunity to play in the IPL. He’s been miserly in his quota of four overs and has the knack of picking up wickets during crucial junctures of the game. Nadeem was the highest wicket-taker in the 2015-16 season of the Ranji Trophy, with a total of 51 scalps. He isn’t afraid to toss the ball up and invite batsmen to step down the track.

Zaheer Khan

Senior statesman Zaheer Khan is by far one of the best bowlers India has ever produced. Consistent line and length and the ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a lethal bowler. Zak has also been a dangerous bowler at the death for India, and will use all his experience while playing for DD. Zaheer will look to lead by example with the ball throughout this season and increase the Daredevils chances of making the qualifiers.