IPL 9 Predicted XI: Delhi Daredevils

A substandard IPL 8 forced the Delhi Daredevils to find reinforcements. The IPL 2016 auction saw the Daredevils break the bank to do so. At the moment, the squad size of the DD is massive. They literally have two or more players for every position. However, that aspect creates a selection headache. While the Daredevils management may have their permutations and combinations, we take a quick look at the best Delhi Daredevils XI on paper.

1.Mayank Agarwal:

When it comes to opening the batting, Mayank Agarwal is perhaps one of the best in the business. He made the move to the Daredevils following an impressive stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore and hasn’t looked back since. He played a majority of the matches for the Daredevils in the previous season and formed a really good pair with Shreyas Iyer. The duo mixed caution with aggression and though uncapped batted better than many pros in the league.

2.Shreyas Iyer:

Shreyas Iyer had an exceptional season last year and was awarded the emerging player of the tournament award. Iyer will be hoping to build on the platform he has set for himself. He was in top form during the Ranji Trophy and ended the season as the leading run-scorer. DD batting relies heavily on his young shoulders.

3.Sanju Samson (wk):

The Daredevils fought off competition to obtain the signature of the starlet. Samson made his name as a big-hitting batsman in the IPL with the now defunct Rajasthan Royals. He has also flirted with playing for the national side in the past. However, at the moment, it seems as though Samson will pip Quinton de Kock in the side.

4.JP Duminy:

A bad 2014 edition of the IPL has now seen South African southpaw JP Duminy concede the captaincy. However, Duminy will be a vital cog in the Daredevils’ wheel especially given his ability to clear the ropes with ease. He will also be key as he is perhaps the only experienced batsman in the top order of the Delhi Daredevils batting lineup. Zaheer Khan might well ask him to roll his arms when looking for wickets in the middle overs.

5.Karun Nair:

Karun Nair announced himself in the IPL with a bang. His ability to seamlessly shift gears while batting has proved to be a major boon for him and the subsequent team he plays for. That said, Nair will be an important addition to the Daredevils’ side and will be expected to bat down the order. He has a lot to prove and the youngster will want to use this opportunity to make place for himself in national reckoning.

6.Carlos Brathwaite:

The massive Caribbean all-rounder has come to prominence following the World T20. That fact perhaps justifies the mammoth amount of money the Daredevils were prepared to shell out to obtain him. Carlos Brathwaite’s batting and bowling skills will be of abundant use as the DD look to lift their first title in the upcoming tournament.

7.Chris Morris:

Having made the switch up north from the Chennai Super Kings, a lot will be riding on the shoulders of Chris Morris. He was a revelation in the green and gold of South Africa before becoming a mainstay in the CSK lineup. Although he brings a much-needed balance to the Delhi side, what Morris brings to the table remains to be seen. They would definitely want him to come in down the order and finish the innings for them.

8.Pawan Negi:

A bidding war between the Daredevils and the Supergiants finally saw the left-arm spinner make his way back to where he started. Despite not being given an opportunity in the World T20, Negi will be immensely important in the context of the IPL. He is a good left-arm spinner who has the tendency to pick wickets and his ability to strike the ball with ferocious vigor makes him an invaluable member of the DD side.

9.Imran Tahir

The South African leg-spinner is perhaps the only specialist spinner the Daredevils have in their ranks. While being a wily leggie with a plethora of variations, Tahir will be immensely important for the Daredevils, especially on the turning tracks in the Indian subcontinent. His form in the World T20 will give the team lot of confidence and his leg-spin will add variation to their bowling attack.

10.Zaheer Khan (C):

Despite being riddled with injuries and retired for almost a year now, Zaheer Khan has been given a greater responsibility. He has been handed over the captaincy of the Delhi Daredevils side and will be expected to lead both the bowling unit and the entire side together. Whether he will be able to swing the ball with the viciousness he once did remains to be seen.

11.Mohammad Shami:

Mohammad Shami has been on the fringes of the Indian side ever since contracting an unfortunate hamstring injury. However, having regained full fitness, Shami will be looking for a way back into the national side and will be hoping for the IPL as a starting point to do so. Bowling in tandem with Zaheer will be a real boon for him and will gain a lot of experience from the senior pro.