IPL 2019: The look of Delhi Daredevils squad without top players

The Delhi Daredevils (DD) picked quite a strong side on paper for IPL 2018. However, things didn’t materialise as per their expectations when they went onto the field. Although there was a lot expected with Gautam Gambhir back at the helm and Ricky Ponting as the head coach, the side ended up with yet another dismal performance.

Things went downhill and Gambhir had to sideline himself midway through the tournament. The management was at serious fault with regards to the team selection in the initial games. It was just too much of an asking for them in the later stages of the tournament although they seemed to have found just the right combinations.

The scenario in 2019 is expected to be different for the Daredevils. They eventually found the right balance and also changed things up for the good. The World Cup 2019 will be played right after the IPL but might not have a huge impact on them even though they will miss the services of some crucial players.

The World Cup factor no big deal for DD

Delhi have a firm XI in place. Shikhar Dhawan is back with the franchise after 11 long years. He would be opening the innings with 18-year-old Prithvi Shaw. Gambhir has shown signs of some good form in domestic cricket. So, he could be back leading the side and will bat at three. If he fails to fire, Colin Munro is there backing him up.

Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian are there in the middle order. Chris Morris is also there waiting in the ranks if one of the all-rounders fails. Sandeep Lamichhane and Amit Mishra will form a formidable spin attack. Harshal Patel and Trent Boult will take the pace duties.

Jason Roy is expected to forgo the entire league or a part of it. The England Cricket Board (ECB) might not want to take a chance with him. If DD will miss someone the most, it has to be Kagiso Rabada. He is a great asset to have in any team. But given his injury-prone nature and considering that he isn’t playing much T20 cricket of late, he could give the IPL 2019 a miss. Manjot Kalra and Gurkeerat Mann would be eagerly waiting for their chances.

Overall verdict: The World Cup 2019 will not force a lot of DD players out. Their side looks to be well-rounded just as it was last year, on paper though. They will hope to figure out the right combinations early in the season in 2019 and will hope to yield a better result.

Delhi Daredevils Strongest XI from Remaining Players:

Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Gautam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, Sandeep Lamichhane, Amit Mishra, Harshal Patel, Trent Boult.

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