IPL 10, Match 50, GL v DD: Delhi Daredevils Predicted XI

Delhi Daredevils are out of the race for the final four spots in the IPL despite having 3 games in hand. After receiving a hammering at the hands of Mumbai Indians where they lost by a massive margin of 146 runs, now move to Kanpur to face Gujarat Lions for the 50th match of the season. Their opposition is also not in contention for a playoff spot and hence the clash between the two will be inconsequential as far as the fate of the league is concerned yet the sides will be playing for pride in the remaining matches.

DD had made a decent start to the season when they won 2 out of the first 3 games but went off the radar and lost 5 matches in a row. They again won 2 consecutive games and the hopes were still alive but MI put an end to all their hopes with a thumping win. The biggest issue for them has been consistency as the batsmen have sometimes shown signs of brilliance and failed miserably at other times.

Their bowling too has suffered similar patterns as their batting and has failed to be consistent. The side led by Zaheer Khan was pegged back even before the start of the league when JP Duminy and Quinton de Kock were ruled out due to injuries. The side then lacked big names and consisted of several youngsters and the lack of experience in the middle has led to their downfall. They now have 3 more matches to play and would certainly hope to restore some pride by giving a good fight.

Here’s CricTracker’s predicted XI for Delhi Daredevils as they take on Gujarat Lions:

Openers (Sanju Samson and Karun Nair)

Samson has had a mixed bag in the season so far. He scored a magnificent century earlier and also notched up 2 half-centuries but it’s been either too big or too small for him. Still, he is the leading run-scorer for his side with 374 runs in 11 matches at an average of 34. His partner Karun Nair has struggled for runs and has scored just 161 runs in 10 innings. He would love to finish the league on a high with a few big scores under his belt.

Middle-Order (Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Marlon Samuels, Corey Anderson and Carlos Brathwaite)

The number 3 batsman Rishabh Pant has been a revelation in the league so far as he has shown tremendous abilities with the bat. He can strike sixes at will and can turn the match around within minutes. Many have regarded him as a future star of Indian cricket and there were speculations of him being picked in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy as well that takes place after the IPL. Although he didn’t get picked in the side yet he has made a name for himself and is a great prospect for India in the future.

Shreyas Iyer had a great run last year but hasn’t been able to match that in the 10th edition. Although he has 207 runs to his name in 9 innings yet a defining knock is still eluding him. Marlon Samuels who has got just once chance to bat so far in the tournament would love to make a mark in the league with a big score and is expected to feature in the playing XI.

Corey Anderson could be the other one who holds his place in the team despite a poor show against MI and he would be itching to make amends. Carlos Brathwaite who has played just the one game so far and has been warming the benches could find a place in the XI after the departure of Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris to South Africa.

Bowlers (Pat Cummins, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami and Zaheer Khan)

The Australian pacer Pat Cummins has bowled with steam this season and certainly left an impression despite his side not doing well. He has picked up 11 wickets so far in 11 matches and is the second highest wicket-taker for DD after Chris Morris. He has consistently bowled over 140 clicks and with the variations like yorkers and slower balls, he has emerged as a useful T20 bowler.

Amit Mishra hasn’t had a great time in the league so far and has managed 9 wickets in 11 games and has a costly economy rate of 8.29. Still, the DD side might go for him as the lead spinner. Shami has been named in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy and would be expected to feature in the XI in the bid to find some form before the prestigious tournament.

The skipper Zaheer has bowled his heart out so far but the results haven’t gone his way. He has captained the side well too and with the experience of Rahul Dravid, he had the right personnel to back him up. Yet the DD side has failed miserably but Zaheer needs to be commended a lot for his efforts even after retirement from international cricket, he is turning up with good performances.