IPL 2018, Match 9, MI vs DD - Delhi Daredevils Predicted XI

The Delhi Daredevils are yet to open their account in the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League. They were thoroughly outplayed in their first game of the season against the Kings XI Punjab. And then, in their next encounter, they were unlucky to have fallen short by 10 runs in a rain-curtailed affair against the Rajasthan Royals.

Now, in the search of their first win of the season, the Daredevils head to the iconic Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai. They will be taking on the Mumbai Indians in the marquee clash. It will be day game and hence, with the short boundaries around, expect the match to be a run fest. The Delhi Daredevils pretty well know about the excellent track record of MI at their fortress.

Hence, in order to beat them in the backyard, it will take some special effort. To do so, the DD camp needs to get their permutations and combinations right for the match. They will have to find the right balance in their camp to make it count. Skipper Gautam Gambhir will be keen on getting the first points on the board with a win in the upcoming fixture.

Here is the Delhi Daredevils Predicted XI for the match:

Openers (Colin Munro, Gautam Gambhir)

The opening woes have continued to be a concern for Delhi Daredevils in the first two matches. Colin Munro was unlucky to have bagged a diamond duck in the previous game. It will only be unfair he gets dropped after the unfortunate dismissal. English batsman Jason Roy will have to wait for a little longer to get his chance this season.

Skipper Gautam Gambhir is set to be back at the top of the order in the game against Mumbai Indians. In the previous game, Gambhir did not come out to bat and let his big hitters take the stage, albeit in vain. In the first game, Gambhir had top scored for his side with 55 to his name.

Middle-Order (Glenn Maxwell, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant)

The DD middle-order has received a major boost in the form of Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell had a good look at the crease in the previous game and one would only believe that he will get better with time. Maxwell will be the key to DD’s chances this year.

The other two batsmen in the middle-order seem pretty set at the moment. Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant are two big names in the Indian domestic circuit. However, both Iyer and Pant have failed to grab their opportunities to become heroes this season.

Pant had a decent outing in the match against the Kings XI Punjab where he played a brief cameo. On the other hand, Iyer is yet to find his feet going at the crease this season. DD would hope that these two Indian stars will come good for them in the coming fixtures.

All-rounders (Vijay Shankar, Chris Morris, Gurkeerat Singh Mann)

The Delhi camp is likely to beef up their all-rounders department in the match. Vijay Shankar looks like the set player in the lineup. However, Shankar has not really fared up to the expectations that were set in the lead up to the season. Also, he is yet to get the ball in the hand in the season.

Meanwhile, the overseas big name Chris Morris is a certain starter in the match. Morris has been a mainstay in the DD lineup for last two seasons. In the previous game, Morris had an opportunity to be the star of the game, but he failed to do so. He would hope to get his side over the line in this game now.

The Daredevils could spring a surprise by roping in Gurkeerat Singh Mann in the lineup. Mann is a very handy all-rounder who can use the long handle. He can come in at the expense of Rahul Tewatia. The boundaries will be short and Mann would fancy his chances of being the pinch hitter for the side.

Spinners (Shahbaz Nadeem)

Shahbaz Nadeem had come in to the playing eleven of the Delhi camp in the previous game at the expense of Amit Mishra. Nadeem had a decent time in the game and scalped two wickets as well. He is likely to retain his place in the side for this game as well.

Pacers (Trent Boult, Mohammed Shami)

The pace bowling department looks settled for the Delhi Daredevils. The duo of Trent Boult and Mohammed Shami have done decently enough to retain their places in the side. However, they have failed to be the spark that the team has wanted to see from them. Trent Boult has shown glimpses of what he is capable of doing but needs to get a complete act done soon.

His delivery that got rid of Ben Stokes in the previous game was an absolute delight to watch. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami would be keen to come up a spirited show to bring down all the headlines to his performance instead of being on his personal life.

Here’s the DD Predicted XI for the game against MI

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