IPL 9, Match 49 Preview: Delhi Daredevils face Pune in a must-win game

While the Rising Pune Supergiants have no chance at securing qualification to the playoffs, the Delhi Daredevils will have all to play for. The two teams square off at Vishakapatnam, a venue that is known for its tremendously high humidity as well as diabolical pitch conditions. However, the Daredevils would have certainly done their homework following their morale pounding defeat at the hands of the Mumbai Indians. In a nutshell, it will be everything to play for as the Daredevils and the Supergiants collide in an all-important encounter for the former.

Team News-

Rising Pune Supergiants:

The Rising Pune Supergiants will have a sense of calm in their encounter against the Daredevils. However, despite the relaxed mode, pride will be at stake for MS Dhoni and his men. That said, Dhoni will call upon his trusted lieutenants to step up to the plate to seal a splendid performance for the side.

While most of the players will be expected to retain their places, Pune might bring in Ishwar Pandey for the game since he is yet to get a game and they hardly have anything to loose. The spotlight as far as the Supergiants will be concerned will be pinned on their Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa. The latter has been an important member of the side, especially following his massive six-wicket haul against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will be joined by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ashok Dinda to put a stop to the Daredevils. In a nutshell, the Supergiants will be hoping to spoil the party for the Daredevils.

Delhi Daredevils:

As mentioned previously, DD are in somewhat of a sticky situation. The loss to the Mumbai Indians left them seeking a win in all of their following matches in order to keep the hopes for a playoff spot alive. Zaheer Khan will be hoping that his young brigade come of age and secure some consistency in the upcoming matches.

One of the few aspects evident from the loss at the hands of the Mumbai Indians was the fact that they simply had misread the conditions. Playing three spinners on a track that somewhat assisted the batsmen ensured that their three spinners were cannon fodder for the explosive KrunalPandya. Therefore, it is widely expected that the Daredevils will opt to go in with two spinners in the form of Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra. Mohammad Shami is expected to make a comeback into the squad. The selection of Mayank Agarwal also seems somewhat unlikely following below par performances in the previous two matches. Shreyas Iyer may make his way back into the side.

The X-factor as far as the Daredevils are concerned will be their young starlet Rishabh Pant. The southpaw has smashed bowling attacks to bits with his hard hitting and a lot will be riding on the youngster to deliver the goods when called upon to do so.

Probable XI-

Rising Pune Supergiants:

MS Dhoni (C/wk), Usman Khawaja, Ajinkya Rahane, George Bailey, Saurabh Tiwary, Irfan Pathan, Thisara Perera, Ashok Dinda, Ravi Ashwin, Adam Zampa, Ishwar Pandey

Delhi Daredevils:

Zaheer Khan (C), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Mayank Agarwal/ Shreyas Iyer, Karun Nair, JP Duminy, Amit Mishra, Chris Morris, Mohammad Shami, Imran Tahir

StAttack:

1. In his last 17 innings, MS Dhoni has been dismissed just four times. Ironically, he had been dismissed four times in a row before his unbeaten innings against the Kolkata Knight Riders in their rain-affected encounter.

2. Three of Daredevils’ bowlers who have played at least three games – Imran Tahir, Chris Morris and Jayant Yadav – have an economy rate of less than seven.